- Why Inspect Your Roof After a Storm?
- Safety First: How to Safely Inspect Your Wood Shake Roof
- Visual Inspection: What to Look for on Your Wood Shake Roof
- Checking the Attic for Signs of Damage
- Identifying Potential Structural Damage
- How to Prevent Future Roof Damage After a Storm
- Additional Resource: Wood Shake Roof Maintenance and Repair Video
- Conclusion
Your wood shake roof just survived Mother Nature’s tantrum, and now you’re wondering if it’s still doing its job or plotting revenge through mysterious leaks.
Just as checking your car after a fender bender is essential, inspecting your roof after a storm is crucial; it’s damage control that could save you from financial disaster.
That innocent-looking loose shake might seem harmless, but it’s a gateway for water damage that turns your cozy home into an expensive science experiment involving mold, rot, and structural mayhem.
This guide outlines the essential steps for post-storm roof inspection, along with safety tips to help you avoid becoming another roofing casualty statistic.
Why Inspect Your Roof After a Storm?
Storm damage creates entry points for water, which converts your roof from a protective barrier into a leaky sieve that invites trouble.
Water infiltration leads to wood rot, compromising the structural integrity of your shake roof and potentially affecting the underlying roof decking and support beams.
The consequences of delayed repairs extend far beyond the immediate damage, creating a domino effect of expensive problems.
Minor repairs that might cost a few hundred dollars can escalate into thousands when structural damage occurs. Moisture creates perfect conditions for mold growth, which poses health risks and requires professional remediation.
Safety First: How to Safely Inspect Your Wood Shake Roof
Your safety matters more than saving a few bucks on inspection costs; no roof repair is worth a trip to the emergency room.
1. Avoid Climbing the Roof
Climbing onto a potentially compromised roof puts you at serious risk of falling through damaged areas or slipping on wet, debris-covered surfaces.
Instead, use a sturdy ladder to get a closer look from the roof’s edge, or invest in a good pair of binoculars to conduct your inspection from the safety of the ground.
2. Wear Proper Gear
Non-slip shoes with good tread are essential, as wet wood shakes become slippery surfaces that can send you tumbling faster than you can say “workers’ compensation.”
Know When to Call a Professional
Call a professional if you notice significant structural damage, if your roof is steep or multi-story, or if you have any doubts about your ability to safely navigate the surface.
Roofing professionals have specialized equipment, experience with storm damage, and insurance to protect both you and your property.
They can also provide official documentation for insurance claims and identify subtle damage that untrained eyes might miss.
Visual Inspection: What to Look for on Your Wood Shake Roof
A thorough visual inspection reveals the tell-tale signs of storm damage that could compromise your roof’s protection and your home’s safety.
| Issue | Description | How to Identify |
|---|---|---|
| Loose, Missing, or Damaged Shakes | Storm winds can dislodge roof shakes, leaving gaps that expose the roof to water infiltration and further damage. | Look for shakes that are missing, hanging loosely, cracked, split, or warped compared to surrounding pieces. |
| Granule Loss | Excessive wear on wood shakes reduces their ability to shed water, as weathering can compromise their natural protective oils. | Check for smooth, light-colored areas or places showing signs of fiber loss, which indicate that the shake is losing its protective surface layer. |
| Signs of Water Damage | Discoloration, dark stains, and streaks indicate water infiltration, which could lead to rot and structural damage. | Look for black, green, or dark brown discoloration or streaks, which might signal mold, algae, or moisture infiltration. |
| Cupping or Curling Shakes | Shakes that cup inward or curl at the edges can indicate moisture damage, poor installation, or aging, all of which impair water shedding. | Look for shakes that are no longer flat, and appear twisted, bent, or cupped inward, which creates channels for water to pool and cause further damage. |
Checking the Attic for Signs of Damage
Your attic serves as an early warning system for roof problems, often revealing hidden damage before it becomes visible from inside your living spaces.
Look for Leaks or Moisture
Water has a sneaky way of finding the tiniest openings in your roof, and your attic is where it first makes its unwelcome appearance.
Inspect the attic space thoroughly for any signs of water intrusion, including damp spots on the ceiling, puddles on the floor, or moisture dripping from above.
How to identify: Use a flashlight to examine all areas of the attic ceiling, paying special attention to corners, around chimneys, and near roof penetrations where leaks commonly occur.
Examine Insulation and Rafters
Wet insulation is like a soggy sponge that’s lost its superpowers; it can’t effectively regulate temperature and becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Check your insulation for signs of wetness, discoloration, or compression that indicates water damage.
How to identify: Look for insulation that appears darker than normal, feels damp to the touch, or has a musty odor. Examine wooden rafters for dark stains, soft spots, or white fuzzy growth (mold development).
Identifying Potential Structural Damage
Structural damage often hides in plain sight, targeting the most vulnerable areas of your roof where water naturally collects and flows.
Examine Roof Valleys and Eaves
Roof valleys act like highways for water runoff, making them prime targets for storm damage and the most likely places for problems to develop.
These areas endure the heaviest water flow and are more susceptible to ice dams, debris accumulation, and wear from constant moisture exposure.
How to identify: Look for displaced or damaged shakes along valley lines, sagging areas that indicate structural weakness, or gaps where valley flashing may have shifted or pulled away from the roof surface.
Check Flashing and Seals
Flashing serves as your roof’s armor around vulnerable penetrations, but storm winds and debris can compromise these critical barriers.
When flashing fails, water finds an express route into your home’s structure, often causing extensive damage before becoming visible.
How to identify: Inspect metal flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights for cracks, gaps, bent sections, or areas where caulk has separated from the surface, creating potential entry points for water infiltration.
How to Prevent Future Roof Damage After a Storm
Proactive maintenance and smart upgrades can shift your roof from a storm victim into a weather-resistant fortress that protects your home for years to come.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Regular Maintenance | Regular maintenance prevents small issues from turning into expensive disasters and extends the life of your roof. |
| Investing in Storm-Proofing | Storm-proofing upgrades can improve your roof’s resistance to severe weather, increasing its lifespan and reducing the likelihood of storm damage. |
Additional Resource: Wood Shake Roof Maintenance and Repair Video
Watch this helpful video by @kldunriteroofing6348 that demonstrates how to inspect and maintain your wood shake roof, offering useful tips for homeowners on keeping their roof in top condition.
Conclusion
Inspecting your wood shake roof after a storm isn’t just about damage control; it’s about protecting your home, your family, and your financial investment.
Taking timely action to identify and address storm damage prevents minor issues from escalating into major structural problems that can cost thousands to repair.
A well-maintained wood shake roof can weather many storms and provide decades of reliable protection for your home.
Ready to ensure your roof is storm-ready? Contact a qualified roofing professional today for a comprehensive inspection and personalized recommendations to keep your wood shake roof in peak condition for years to come.
