If you have a home in Grand Rapids, MI, you could experience various emergency roofing catastrophes ranging from rainwater penetrating your home to strong winds blowing off your entire roof. To make sure you and your family are safe, you should schedule regular roof inspections and preventive maintenance at least once every year. If you suspect your roof has been damaged after a storm, the first thing to do is call your roofing contractor and your homeowner’s insurance provider.
In this guide, we shall highlight various catastrophes affecting Michigan homeowners and what to do when faced with such damages. Read on!
1. Roof Blow-Off
When high winds blow over your roof, it creates low pressure above it (according to Bernoulli’s principle). The pressure below the roof quickly builds up and lifts your roof if it was not properly secured. Consequently, the roof is blown off along the path of the prevailing wind. Sometimes, the roof can even be ripped apart and blown off in different directions. Whenever you experience a blown off roof, contact your roofing contractor promptly to mitigate further damage to your home and the assets therein.
2. Wind Damage
Poorly installed flashing can also cause wind damage to your roof. When seams open up, strong winds can blow beneath the shingles and cause damage. Always have a professional inspect the condition of your flashing to prevent costly wind damage.
3. Exposed Roof Deck
Overflowing roof sprouts or gutters, old and worn out roofing shingles, ice dams or snow accumulation in winter, and torn flashing around chimneys can allow water to infiltrate your roof deck. Additionally, inadequate roof ventilation or excessive humidity and heat in your attic can cause damage to your roof deck. An exposed deck can slowly rot and compromise the integrity of any roof. Such problems can be easily detected during routine preventive maintenance.
4. Water Penetrating the Interior of your Home
Storms, heavy downpours, hail, or snow accumulation can damage your roof and allow water to penetrate the interior of your home. When your area often experiences heavy rains, it’s important to routinely inspect the roof and ensure it can withstand these beatings. When water infiltrates your roof, it can leave a lot of moisture in your home and make it vulnerable to mold infestation. If you notice any water infiltrating the inside of your home, have it remedied as fast as possible to prevent harmful mold effects and property damage.
5. Interior Roof Damage
Most roof decks are made of wood and wood composites, making them susceptible to rotting and water damage. When your roof interior components are continuously exposed to excess moisture, it gradually degrades and gives in. Always have a professional roofer inspect your roof for damages and remediate them before they escalate into serious issues.
6. Insulation Getting Wet
If your home’s insulation gets wet, it can gradually become useless as far as your home’s energy efficiency is concerned. Moisture evaporating on the warmer side of your wall can make that side feel colder. Water leaking from your roof or from plumbing pipes can also cause damp insulation. Timely repair of a leaking roof can help safeguard your insulation from water damage.
Storm debris, hail damage, and heavy downpours can all compromise the integrity of your roof. If you notice a leaking roof, blown off roof, or exposed decks, we are here to help. At Moore and Sons Roofing we offer high-quality emergency repairs for shingle and metal roofs for our esteemed customers in Grand Rapids and the wider Michigan area. Connect with us today!
