Astoria Roofing Storm Damage: Identifying Wind and Hail Damage After Severe Weather Events

When Severe Weather Strikes Astoria: Your Complete Guide to Identifying Wind and Hail Damage on Your Roof

Severe weather events in Astoria, New York can leave homeowners facing significant property damage, particularly to their roofing systems. From tornadoes, hurricanes, hailstorms, and summer squalls that bring driving wind and rain, storms can wreak havoc on roofs and other exterior home surfaces. Understanding how to identify wind and hail damage after a storm is crucial for protecting your investment and ensuring your family’s safety.

Understanding Wind Damage to Your Roof

Hurricane-force winds, which are classified by meteorologists as 74 mph or greater, or gale-force winds, which are between 39-54 mph, can cause visible damage to your home’s roof. High winds can remove or tear shingles, leaving the underlayment, roof deck, or waterproofing material exposed to the elements.

Even during less severe storms, wind damage can be deceptive. During less severe storms, sudden, sharp gusts of wind can lift and curl shingles. When shingles are installed, they’re purposefully overlapped to create a water-tight seal, and this lifting and curling can break this seal, potentially leaving your roof vulnerable to damage from wind-driven rain.

Key signs of wind damage include:

  • Sharp winds can cause shingles to blow away or loosen
  • Shingles may curl upward after being damaged
  • Thin horizontal lines where granules have been worn off about 1-2 inches beneath the shingle above; this could indicate that the shingle seal was broken and the shingle was flapping in the wind rubbing against the shingle above it
  • Strong winds can tear off roofing materials and expose the structure beneath

Identifying Hail Damage: What to Look For

While hailstorms tend to be relatively short, and rarely last for longer than 15 minutes, hailstones can leave dents or pockmarks in shingles and knock shingle granules loose. This can be problematic because these granules help protect your roof against rain and sun damage.

The size of hailstones significantly impacts the type and severity of damage. Though the smallest hail we measure, ¾” hail can still be damaging depending on accompanying wind speeds. Hail this size typically damages vinyl siding, window screens, metal fascia and paint on a deck. We also see it dislodge granules from asphalt shingles and damage gutters and downspouts.

Signs of hail damage include:

  • Hail divots that are black in color, or are soft to the touch, like the bruise on an apple. Also, look for any loss of granules, visible damage to the shingle, and asphalt and/or mat that appears shiny
  • A distinct pattern of small round-shaped divots on the edges of the shingles. Indentations in the shingle where granules are missing
  • To spot granule loss, look for any areas of discoloration or dark spots on the roof. It will be difficult to spot missing granules when looking up at the roof from ground-level, but you can often see evidence of granule loss by looking at the ground directly beneath the roof
  • A large pile of granules at the end of your downspout; a small amount is normal, especially on new shingles

Hidden Damage: What You Can’t See from the Ground

One of the most concerning aspects of storm damage is that Most hail damage is not visible from the ground. You may not see a leak for months, but the damage can be compromising your roof’s integrity from day one. This is why professional inspection is crucial after any severe weather event.

The attic is one of the most critical places to inspect for damage after a storm. Dark spots on the attic walls and underside of the roof deck can indicate the presence of moisture. Additionally, Excessive moisture inside your home after a storm is a clear indication of storm damage. Wind-driven rain can quickly make its way into your home from openings in the roof, especially if there is no leak barrier installed. Water damage from leaks may cause staining on your ceilings and walls as well as a musty odor around the home.

Beyond the Roof: Collateral Storm Damage

Storm damage extends beyond just your roofing materials. Shingles aren’t the only thing that gets damaged by severe storms. The gutters, downspouts, and flashings can also take a beating. If hit by large pieces of hail, metal gutters and downspouts may dent while plastic ones may crack or break entirely. Flashing can come loose from the winds or dent and break if it’s impacted by hail.

Look for additional signs around your property, including:

  • Check for dents on your home’s gutters and roofing accessories, such as gable vents and other overhangs. Windows should be inspected for cracks, broken glass, loose weather-stripping, and torn screens
  • Other collateral hail damage around the house; dents on cars or other items on your house or in your yard
  • Flat surfaces, such as patios and decks, can be checked for hail damage

When to Call Professional Storm Damage Restoration Services

Time is critical when dealing with storm damage. Our team responds quickly to prevent further structural issues and interior damage. If you suspect your Astoria property has sustained storm damage, it’s essential to contact experienced professionals immediately.

Green Island Group NY understands the unique challenges facing Astoria residents after severe weather events. Green Island Group provides environmental, remediation, and demolition services to residential, commercial, and public customers in New York State. Our team of knowledgeable professionals has years of experience as a first responder contractor, restoring properties with damages from floods, fires, and other major environmental events. As a certified minority and woman-owned business, committed to following NYS and NYC regulations for safe practices, they bring both expertise and accountability to every restoration project.

For comprehensive storm damage restoration astoria services, Green Island Group NY offers 24/7 emergency response to help minimize further damage to your property. Green Island Group Corp. is readily available to provide services no matter the time of day. We follow NYS, NYC, and USEPA regulations to ensure proper removal and protection of workers and occupants.

The Importance of Professional Assessment

Storm damage might seem minor on the surface, but hidden issues can lead to expensive repairs down the road. That’s precisely why a professional roofing contractor is indispensable. A trained roofer knows how to identify structural damage, insulation issues, and compromised waterproofing.

It’s the small, unnoticeable damage from hail that takes a trained eye to spot. Even if you don’t have obvious holes in your roof due to hail damage, you likely still need a hail damage roof inspection to find out how much damage you’re dealing with and how to proceed with any roof repairs needed.

Taking Action After Storm Damage

If you’ve identified potential storm damage to your Astoria property, document everything with photographs and contact your insurance company promptly. Keep a list of notes and/or take pictures — this can potentially be helpful later for insurance purposes. Any visible signs of storm damage should be documented, such as dented, torn, curled, or missing shingles.

Remember that Quick action prevents further harm and reduces long-term repair costs. Don’t wait for small problems to become major disasters – contact experienced storm damage restoration professionals who can properly assess your property and develop a comprehensive restoration plan.

When severe weather threatens your Astoria home, knowing how to identify wind and hail damage can make the difference between minor repairs and major reconstruction. Trust the experts at Green Island Group NY to help you navigate the restoration process and return your property to its pre-storm condition safely and efficiently.