The recent hail/wind storm in Thomasville and Cairo Georgia and Havana, Florida caused structural damage to many businesses and homes. After the storm has passed, it’s best to inspect every inch of your structure for damage. Then, take care of the damage upon inspection by calling a professional to ensure that the problem doesn’t worsen. Not sure what to look out for as you inspect your home or business? We’ve got you covered with an inspection checklist that will find the root cause of any structural issues caused by the storm.
Gutters:
The first place you should look for damage should be your gutters. If you can see any dents or digs in your gutters, likely, your roof has also suffered hail damage.
Missing Shingles:
Missing shingles happen routinely whenever there is a strong wind storm. If you see any shingles on the ground, call a professional immediately to perform a replacement.
Cracked Shingles:
If the hail during the storm was large enough, it could cause your shingles to crack. If you notice this, make sure to replace them as soon as possible. If you wait, the next storm can cause leaks to your home!
Granule Loss:
Granules are the rough outer layer of the shingle. When a shingle loses its granules, it becomes more prone to breaking and ages much quicker. Therefore, it is best to have a professional replace them.
Exposed fiberglass mat:
If the storm caused many of your shingles to fall, it could leave the fiberglass layer that is underneath exposed. This layer can also suffer damage from hail. However, a fractured fiberglass mat can be hard to detect independently and usually requires a trained professional eye to assess the damage.
Weak self-seal strip:
A self-seal strip is placed on top of a shingle during the manufacturing process to prevent damage from the wind. If the seal integrity of your shingles becomes weakened, the next storm can cause much greater damage. Therefore, it’s best to call a professional to assess the seals of your shingles and replace them if necessary.
Plumbing:
It’s commonplace for pipes to suffer damage after a storm as well. If you notice stains on your walls, discolored water, higher water bills, or low water pressure coming out of your faucets it probably means you have a damaged pipe. To prevent further damage or a busted pipe, we suggest shutting off your faucets and calling a professional immediately upon inspection.
We hope this helped you make a thorough inspection plan after the severe storm this past weekend. Inspecting your structure is a great way to find any damage caused to your structures as soon as possible. However, it is difficult to perform a thorough inspection on your own safely. Calling a professional is the best way to ensure your home is safe from storm damage. Don’t wait any longer! Call TSpark Enterprises today for any inspection, repair, or restoration services.