Way Up on the Roof

One of the chores involved in maintaining your home includes performing an inspection after any type of storm. Exterior storm damage can be the start of some serious problems with your home. What starts out as bent flashing around the chimney could result in water seeping under the tiles or shingles and destroying the wood structure of the roof. Here are a few tips to help you perform the inspection so you don't miss anything.

Roof

It is a good idea to start at the top of the building and work your way down. The roof is going to be the most vulnerable to damage, and if anything happens to it, the rest of the house is going to be affected. You may not be able to see the entire roof without using a ladder or climbing out windows, which can be dangerous if everything is still wet. However, there are still things you can look for that indicate there is a problem, such as the following:

• Shingles or tiles on the ground
• Asphalt granules at the area where the gutter downspout ends
• Dark stains or wet patches on ceilings
• Damp insulation in the ceiling, in the attic, or in the crawl space under the roof
• Sounds of flashing or soffit pieces flapping or hitting the roofing.

If you notice any of these, you should contact a professional roofer to set an appointment for a roof inspection. A roofer can get on the roof to determine what and where the problem is and then do the repairs.

Exterior Walls

The outside of your home may be comprised of painted wood and some type of siding, like brick, stone, or stucco. The purpose of this to protect the actual wood underneath. Even a small opening will allow moisture to get to the wood. Wet or moist wood will rot, decay, mold, and eventually fall apart. To keep your home from rotting away, be on the lookout for the following when doing your exterior storm damage inspections:

• Discolored or stripped paint
• Cracks, chips, or holes in the stucco
• Bent, cracked, chipped, warped or fallen siding
• Warped or cracked wood
• Missing grout between bricks or stones
• Cracked or broken bricks or stones

You may be able to do some of the repairs on your own, but it is always best to contact a professional to make sure there is no damage between the outside walls and the interior walls. You may need to have a piece of wood or some insulation replaced if the water got beneath or behind the outer layer of the house.

Foundation

While the roof protects your home from the top down, the foundation protects the structure and stability of the building from the ground up. Rain and snow that sits against the foundation will cause it to crumble and deteriorate. Once the foundation is weakened, the walls and floors will warp and slowly collapse. As you walk around the house, look down, checking the foundation. You should also be on the lookout for the following from the inside:

• Doors and windows that no longer open and close easily
• Unlevel floors
• Molding pulling away from the walls
• Cracks in the interior paint

Any type of foundation damage is not good for your home. Always have a professional inspect the house to determine the cause and just how much damage has been done. 

The sooner you notice any storm damage and have it repaired, the easier the job will be and the less it will cost you. Keep in mind that a lot of the repairs may be covered by your homeowner's insurance. However, regardless of who has to pay, keeping your home in good shape is the most important thing.

To learn more, contact a company like Select Exteriors.