What Happens to a Roof in the Weeks After a Storm: The Slow Damage Homeowners Miss
Moncton, Canada, often faces severe storms. However, homeowners might not see any missing shingles or leaks from the driveway and continue with their normal daily life. But there might be problems that start gradually. The roof does not show problems immediately after the storm. It shows up after a few weeks or months as loose seals, small cracks, and bent flashing.
The damage continues for a long time before water shows up on the ceiling. And then, it is an expensive repair job.
The shingles that seemed fine were actually not
High winds don't blow off a shingle in the roof. It just lifts the edge of the shingle to break the seal underneath. The seal keeps shingles locked against each other. From the ground, everything seems fine with the shingle well in place.
Every time it rains after that, water and moisture seep under the loose edge, worsening the seal. This is why experts in storm damage roof repair Moncton recommend getting a post-storm check-up, even when everything seems right. The actual wind damage is not visible at a glance from a ladder. Until there is a leak or a major problem, nothing comes to notice.
Flashing doesn't bend back on its own
Flashing is the metal trim around chimneys, skylights, vents, and where two roof slopes meet. Strong winds often flex the flashing beyond the point it was meant to be. When the flashing is bent slightly out of shape, it cannot keep water from sneaking into the seams.
The leak doesn't take place right after the storm. The leakage starts after the next rain when water remains at the spot for a while. The impact of the rain on the flashing is evident in the dry months.
Bent flashing rarely announces itself the day of the storm. The gap it leaves only starts letting water in once rain sits at that seam — often the next rainfall, not the one that did the damage.
Granule loss is not just about wear and tear but a warning
Asphalt shingles are coated with small granules that offer them some protection from the sun. These granules often become loose and fall off under normal weather conditions and during rain and storms.
Granule loss does not cause a leak by itself. It exposes the shingles to direct sunlight and moisture, accelerating wear and tear. The protective layer gets thinner in patches.
Gutters fill up with lots of things
After a windstorm, gutters fill up with debris, granules, and shingle materials. When not cleared promptly, water starts backing up at the edge of the roof. That water can seep under the shingles and cause leaks later. Roof damage can take place, and costs can be steep. Roofing experts at companies like Artisanroofing.ca refer to this as slow damage.
A gutter full of granules is a clue, not just a mess. Those granules came off the shingles, and water that backs up at a clogged edge can work its way under the roof long after the storm has passed.
Summing it up
Although Moncton often experiences wind conditions, it is not necessary to check the roof after every wind or storm. However, it is important to get a thorough check-up of the roof at least thrice a year so that even the smallest damage can be detected at the earliest. This precaution is more important after a heavy, stormy, or rainy season. Make sure that you take the necessary steps without any delay.
- Lifted shingle edges with a broken seal underneath
- Flashing around chimneys, skylights, vents, and roof valleys that no longer sits flat
- Patches where granules have worn off the shingles
- Gutters packed with debris, granules, and shingle pieces