How to inspect your roof for damage after a thunderstorm

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

After a booming North Dakota thunderstorm, you might be concerned about damage to your home and especially your roof. After a storm, here are some tips for inspecting your roof for water damage so you can get it fixed before the next storm.

Look for leaks

The most clear and obvious way to know if you have roof damage is if there is water leaking into your home. Look along the seams where the wall meets the ceiling, corners of rooms and in the attic for any kind of moisture or dampness. If you find any, you will know where to make repairs and can help to mitigate against further damage.

Look on the roof

If you find no damage on the interior of your home, try getting up on the roof and looking for any breaks in shingles, projectile damage, or other cracks that may have opened in your roof. Carefully go over each section to find any kind of wind or water damage. Make sure any seals around grates, vents, or windows are intact and have not weathered.

The Garden Hose Test

The most thorough test you can do for your roof to ensure there are no leaks is to test it out by simulating heavy rain conditions. With someone inside watching for leaks, pour water from the garden hose over sections of your roof to look for leaks. You can also do this to make sure your gutters are properly draining. This test will give you a firsthand look at how water is draining off your roof and let you know of any repairs that need to be made.

If you do find any damage to your home or roof, immediately contact your home insurance provider and make sure to document any damage with pictures so that you can get a claim submitted for repair costs.