Winter is almost over, which means it’s time to inspect your home for damages caused by the snow, ice, and wind that winter brought. One of the most important things many people overlook is the roof. Residents of Emmaus, PA experience a great deal of snow, ice, and water on their roof, which can shorten the lifespan of the roofing materials. The earlier you identify issues with the roof, the easier it may be to repair. To help identify potential damages from the winter, Patrick McNealis Insurance and Financial Group have put together a brief list of things to help identify winter roof damage.
Missing Shingles
Once the snow has melted off the roof, the first thing to look for is missing shingles. If you aren’t comfortable climbing a ladder to inspect the roof, contact a professional roofing company to inspect the roof for you. If there are missing shingles, it’s crucial that they are replaced as soon as possible to avoid the risk of significant damage occurring to the structure of your home.
Granules in Gutters
As roofing shingles begin to wear thin, the granules will fall into the gutters as well as on the ground. If you are noticing small piles of granules around the foundation of your home, it’s probably due to worn, thin shingles. Winter weather is especially rough on the top layer of the roofing shingles (granules), and if the shingles wear too much, it will lead to leaks, so it’s best to have the shingles replaced as soon as possible.
Dark Spots
If you are noticing dark spots on the roof, it is most likely the result of water damage or mold. As the snow melts, especially when there are missing shingles, the water will run down and behind the shingles, resulting in dark spots. If the damages go unrepaired, the trapped water will lead to mold and mildew on and under the roof.
To ensure your roof is cleaned up from the winter and ready for spring, remove all tree branches and limbs from the roof that may have broken off during the winter, the gutter system to remove all debris and inspect the metal flashing.
To review your current homeowner’s insurance or to update your policy, residents of Emmaus, PA and those around the state should contact Patrick McNealis Insurance and Financial Group.
