Over the past few days, we’ve experienced some intense weather in the Dane County area — including strong winds and hail — so we thought it was a fitting time to talk about how to check your siding and roofing for damage.
That said, before we jump into what to look for, it’s important to mention that safety comes first — so do your inspections from the ground and never climb on a roof, as it can be dangerous. If you do need a roof inspection*, be sure to contact a reputable, local roofing contractor in the Madison area to handle it.
*Note: roofing and siding inspections should always be complimentary. We also like to take photos of any damage we find so we can show them to a homeowner before discussing repair options.
Let’s begin …
HOW TO CHECK FOR WIND & HAIL DAMAGE ON SIDING
HOW TO CHECK FOR WIND & HAIL DAMAGE ON SIDINGA simple walk around your home is the best way to identify if there is any damage to your siding.
SIGNS OF WIND DAMAGE ON SIDING
- Panels that are missing, loose or flapping
- You see cracks, lifted edges, buckling, and/or warping
- You can see the house wrap
- There are moisture marks (IE: green algae, brown streaks, mildew)
Note: Not all damage is visible, and there can be hidden damage behind panels and corners. For example, wind damage can cause negative pressure, pulling the siding away and then pushing it back into place, causing vapor barrier or flashing issues that may only be detectable by a professional inspection.
SIGNS OF HAIL DAMAGE ON SIDING
What to look for:
- Cracks
- Splits
- Holes (small or large)
- Chips
- Dents (typically in metal siding)
- Warping
- Buckling
- Paint loss and/or discoloration
- Moisture stains inside the home
HOW TO CHECK FOR WIND & HAIL DAMAGE ON ROOFING
HOW TO CHECK FOR WIND & HAIL DAMAGE ON ROOFINGInspecting your roofing for damage is something that should always be done from the ground. This may not give you a full visual of your entire roof, although with pitched roofing you should have no problem seeing all or most of the roof. Believe it or not, binoculars can help you identify more subtle damage. Visual inspections don’t always show all damage (which could be under the shingles and not visible to the eye), so if you think there might be damage — get a professional inspection!
SIGNS OF WIND DAMAGE ON ROOFING
What to look for:
- Missing Shingles: either completely or partially missing
- Damaged Shingles: this can include curling, cracking, or tearing
- Excessive granules in gutters
- Flapping shingles that are only partially dislodged
- Damaged flashing: this is the metal stripping around skylights, vents and chimneys
- Debris on roof: things like branches can trap moisture and damage shingles
Inside the home …
- Water stains on a ceiling or wall
- Peeling paint or wallpaper
- A musty smell emitting from the attic
SIGNS OF HAIL DAMAGE ON ROOFING
- Missing Shingles: either completely or partially missing
- Flapping shingles that are only partially dislodged
- Cracked shingles
- Dark “dents” (discoloration) due to granule loss
- Damage to roofing components like gutters, downspouts, skylights, vents and pipes
- Exposed roof underlayment
Get in Touch
If you suspect your roofing or siding has been damaged, feel free to contact Legacy Exteriors for a complimentary inspection — with no strings attached.