What does storm damage look like?
Missing Shingles
A few missing shingles may not seem like big problem but you may be surprised! Each missing tab exposes the seam of the shingles below it, as well as two nail heads. That means that each missing tab exposes three points of entry for water to penetrate into your home. Seemingly small leaks will eventually lead to much larger, and much more costly problems. Rotted decking, black mold, and even structural damage, are a few of the potential problems that can occur if leaks like these are left to wreak havoc on your home!
Wind Creased Shingles
Where there are missing tabs, there are sure to be creased shingles! On average, for every one missing tab, there are 3-5 creased shingles present on your roof. This is storm damage that is not visible from the ground. A crease in a shingle occurs when the wind blows the tab up, breaking the seal, and folds the shingle backwards. This leaves a definitive crack or "crease" that runs along the top of the shingle. This is actually a crack in the fiberglass mat of the shingle that has allowed the asphalt granules to fall out, and compromised the structure of the shingle. Contrary to popular belief, shingles are water resistant, not water proof. Therefore, any shingle that has been creased cannot shed water properly and is an active leak!
Nail Blow Throughs
Just like it sounds, blow throughs occur when wind lifts the shingle with such high force it causes the nail to be ripped out of the shingle. Due to the loss of functionality this would be considered a wind compromised shingle.
Wind-Driven Debris
Wind driven material such as pine straw, debris, etc. will normally be present under all creased shingles and blow throughs. This is evidence that the wind did in fact cause these damages, because how else would this material have gotten underneath the shingle? Wind driven debris also cause functional damage by preventing the shingle from resealing. This can be used as prime evidence to support all other damages (creasing, missing shingles, blow throughs, etc.).
Hail Damage
Hail is another example of storm damage that is near invisible to the untrained eye. When hail impacts your roof it, it displaces the granules and bruises the fiberglass mat of the shingle. this "bruise" actually stretches the mat and cracks is allowing water to pass through and enter your home! All those little divots might not seem like a lot, but they will slowly, and surely, lead to more severe damage to your house!