A hurricane is hurdling your way. You think your home is prepared and ready to face this nasty storm, and you've done your best to make sure of that. You may be feeling nervous and worried, which is perfectly normal. As the downpour and gusts pass over your home, you begin to see the inevitable damage they caused. Among the fallout, you've noticed that your roof has taken a beating. You must first know that you don't have to handle this alone. Take a breath!
What are your next steps? Well, there are several measures you can take, sometimes beginning by cutting off your power supply or moving furniture out of the way of leaks. There are also times after assessing your home and scheduling an inspection that you may discover you need a roof repair. With that news comes to a lot of questions, the main one being, how much will it cost to repair the damages?
At RoofCrafters, we know that roofing repairs can sound like a nightmare. We've mended storm-damaged roofs for three decades, so we've seen and heard it all.
In this article, we'll talk about everything that goes into the cost of getting your roof restored by a licensed professional. From the types of storm damage that can occur to how they affect the overall costs of repairs, we're covering all the details. When you finish reading, you'll know exactly what to expect the next time you're facing a roof repair so that you can prepare for it in advance. Let's begin!
What is Considered Storm Damage to a Roof?
Storm damage is the destructive aftermath of extreme weather-related events. Roofs are, unfortunately, the area of your home most likely to be damaged during a storm.
Sometimes, the signs of roof damage are obvious, like water spots on your ceiling or curled or missing roof shingles. You may also see broken or damaged flashing, soaked walls, water issues around the exterior of your home, or ice damming. Other times, the signs could be more apparent, however.
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Knowing the different kinds of storm damage that can hurt your home is essential to understand what potential repairs may cost. Let's discuss the most typical types of harsh weather that can ravage your roof.
The Most Common Types of Storm Damage to A Roof
Every storm can impact your roof differently. Let's take a quick look at the different types of storm damage and how they can affect your roofing system.
Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms
Heavy rainfall has proven to be hazardous for all types of roofing systems. Rain and thunderstorms can make the entire roof structure fail and, in worst-case scenarios, collapse. Standing water can also create holes in your roof and weaken the adhesive between shingles.
If your roof doesn’t have a proper drainage system, rain storms can cause torrential damage to the roof deck.
Windstorms
Wind can pose a massive risk to the structural integrity of your roof. Even moderate winds can harm a roofing system made of lighter materials, like asphalt shingles.
After a strong wind storm, your roof may experience cracking or lose a few shingles here and there from being pulled up by the strong gusts. Note that minor damage is harder to spot after a storm, so you may need to look closer than what's directly on the surface.
If you're seeing loose granules that have dropped from the shingles, consider reaching out to a professional roofer for a deeper inspection. These issues are nothing your contractor hasn't seen before, so they'll be able to help you.
Hailstorms
Hailstorms don't usually last for a long time, but the damage they can cause in just a few minutes can be severe. You'll likely see the harm hail caused to your roof, but if you don't know what to look for, be on the hunt for these signs:
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Circular-shaped indentions on the roof
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Bruising or dents on the shingles
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Scattered or missing granules
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Small piles of granules at the bottom of the roof
You must consider contacting a trusted roofing contractor if you see extensive hail damage on your roof so they can further evaluate the situation. Roofing professionals can spot potential issues that you may need to look into.
Ice Storms
Ice storms often cause structural damage to roofing systems. In addition, if you don’t get the damage repaired quickly, the water from ice storms can find its way into your home.
Leaks and cracking are some of the common signs of ice storm damage. However, if you have a pitched roof, that will allow the snow and water to fall off easily, so there’s not much to worry about. Usually, when an expert is installing a roof, the weather conditions are considered before choosing the material for that roof.
That's not always the case, though, which could be a reason why you landed here! So, what goes into the potential costs of storm damage-related roof repairs?
How Much Will It Cost to Have My Roof Repaired?
The cost of your specific repairs will vary based on what type of weather hits your home, the extent of damage done, and what kind of roof you have.
For example, hail damage can cost roughly $700–$4,000 to fix. Surface damage may only require simple repairs, like adding new shingles, while structural damage typically requires more significant, costly repairs.
Additionally, leaks caused by storm damage can cost around $1,000 or more, depending on the size of the leak and the amount of time the leak has been present. A small leak may only cost a couple hundred dollars to fix, but if substantial water has penetrated the underlayment, your roof may require extensive structural repairs that will cost more.
In worst-case-scenario situations, your roof may need replacement. Roof replacements will cost anywhere from $8,000–$15,000, with an average cost of around $11,000. The final price of a new roof will depend on your home’s square footage, total roofing material costs, and labor involved.
Should I Hire a Professional Contractor to Repair My Storm Damaged Roof?
Possibly! Now, I know what you may be thinking- can I just repair my roof on my own? Well, technically, you could. I mean, I'm not going to tell you what to do with your time. But, for the safety of you and your home, it's probably better to leave the job to a professional roofer. Before hiring just anyone to install yours, make sure to find a roofing company that you know for sure you can trust.
So, where do you go from here? If you have questions and are ready to talk to an expert, RoofCrafters can lend a hand. We recommend starting by taking a look at "How Do I Deal With Storm Damage?" to get a firm grasp on what storm damage is and how to go about it. Because we've been in the roofing business for almost thirty years, we have a lot of resources you can look into. To further your storm damage education, you can also head over to our learning center.
Making decisions when it comes to your roof repairs can be challenging. On top of that, we get that searching through articles and looking for answers may be stressful and daunting. That's why we want you to know that you don't have to do this alone! To get in contact with one of our welcoming representatives, head over to our contact page. Whether you're looking for roof repair costs or anything else, RoofCrafters has your back.
