5 Ways a Roof Can Sustain Storm Damage in Orlando

5/1/2018 (Permalink)

A lightning strike can cause damage all on its own and can lead to water or fire damage as well.

Whether you are a property manager or own a home, storms in Orlando and the surrounding area can be abrupt and severe, potentially causing damage to your property. Initial damage from these storms can occur in multiple ways including from rain, hail, wind, and even fallen trees. Knowing the possibilities of damage can help you prevent or prepare your property for future storms.

1. Damage from Rains

Orlando is no stranger to heavy and abrupt rainstorms. Strong downpours during a storm have the potential of washing away the granular surface on shingles. The rainwater can also travel under missing seal strips and damaged flashing. Damage from downpours can compromise your roofing system and lead to interior leaking and mold growth as well.

2. Damage from Hail

The size of a hailstone can vary but is usually between pea-sized and marble-sized. The force of these stones pounding down on your rooftop can cause tiny indentations in your roof or dents in the metal flashing of your roof. At a quick glance it may not appear so, but after taking a closer look you may possibly find compromises in the roofing membrane. This particular damage can affect your roof’s ability to prevent water from entering your home. Similar to rain, a persistent amount of hail can remove the granular surface of your roof shingles, which removes their ability to protect your home from UV rays and premature aging. This further increases your likelihood of sustaining extensive roof damage in future storms.

3. Damage from Winds

The most obvious wind damage to your roof is when winds are so strong that they blow your shingles off. Additionally, winds can lift or break a shingle’s sealing strips. Without these strips, water can get underneath your shingles. if not fixed immediately, the water that enters can cause mold growth, roof leaks and damage to interior insulation, plywood, and drywall. Undetected compromises in your roof that are exposed to future storms can even lead to a damaged underlayment causing roof rot to your decking.

4. Damage from Fallen Trees

Trees, or even just tree limbs, can cause damage beyond the visible hole they create in your roof. If the damage occurs during a storm, the hole in your roof provides incoming rainwater with access to other areas of your roof. This can weaken your roof structure and also create mold growth. Even if a fallen tree does not create a hole in your roof, cracks in your rafters or punctures in your shingles or other roofing materials can also lead to water damage.

5. Lightning Strikes

Although it is not common, lightning has caused damage to residential and commercial properties in the past. In just a few seconds, your home can go from perfectly sound to severely damaged from one strike of lightning. Roofs often take a major hit, and metal gutters are especially susceptible, too. A bolt of lightning can puncture a roof, sear the surrounding materials, and tear through attics. A powerful enough strike can tear off shingles and gutters, leaving the roof a disaster. In addition to leaving your home exposed to water damage, a lightning strike can also potentially cause a fire, increasing the amount of damage.

Has Your Roof Experienced Storm Damage?

If you have sustained damage to your roof and property after a storm, SERVPRO of Winter Park can assist you with water extraction and drying your property. While your roofing company makes sure to fix the damage to your roof, we make sure you are not sustaining long-term damage in all areas of your property. Give us a call at any hour in Orlando at 407-678-5391!