How to Identify Exterior Damage
Identifying home exterior damage in its early stages allows you to make necessary repairs before more extensive problems develop, leading to costly siding and roofing replacements. Read on for a detailed overview of what to look for when inspecting your home’s roof and siding for signs of damage or reach out to our team at Tevelde and Co. today to learn more!
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What Causes Home Exterior Damage?
Your home’s exterior can take a daily beating from the elements all year round. From scorching sun and torrential rains to hailstorms, gale-force winds, and subzero temperatures, the siding and roofing materials that protect your house are under constant assault. While quality building materials and proper installation aim to withstand these environmental stressors, damage will inevitably occur over the years.
- What Causes Home Exterior Damage?
- Storm and Hail Damage Can Wreak Havoc on Your Home
- Common Signs of Damaged Siding
- Tell-Tale Signs of Roof Damage
- Tevelde and Co. are Professional Exterior Contractors in Omaha
- Offering Top-Rated Roofing and Siding Repair Services
- Over a Decade of Localized Expertise
Storm and Hail Damage Can Wreak Havoc on Your Home
Thunderstorms are common during the Summer, and severe ones can often pelt the area with damaging hail. These storms can leave behind dimpled dents, fractures, holes, and cracked coatings across roofing and siding materials.
While vinyl and fiber cement siding are vulnerable, hail impact, unfortunately, wreaks the most havoc on roofing, older vinyl siding or aluminum siding. Shingles can exhibit missing granule surfacing, fracturing, and holes that pave the way for leaks. Even what may appear as moderate dents or minor granule loss can result in larger issues later down the road, leaving the roof vulnerable to more storm damage! This makes professional inspection important after a major hailstorm; the experienced roofers at Tevelde and Co. know precisely how to identify every impact point across your home’s expansive roofing. We can accurately determine whether basic repairs are sufficient or if full roof replacement is required to restore watertight performance and longevity.
Common Signs of Damaged Siding
In addition to storms, daily and seasonal shifts in temperature cause siding materials to constantly expand and contract. Over the years, this stresses the materials and can lead to significant damage. Vinyl, wood, fiber cement, and metal sidings can all exhibit signs of degradation listed below.
Cracked, Warped, or Broken Siding Materials
Various types of impact damage, underlying shifting, improper installation, and everyday environmental wear can cause cracks and fragmentation in vinyl siding. Partial stress fractures are often visible upon close inspection. In advanced cases, siding pieces buckle outward or fully break apart, allowing moisture intrusion and pest access to your home! Vinyl panels prone to sun damage and trapped moisture behind them can also warp and bubble over time.
Faded Color
Sunlight quickly fades the pigment and dyes within nearly all types of siding, though it is most noticeable on certain products. For example, darker blues, browns, and blacks transform into a weathered gray over time. Whites also tend to yellow and take on a dingy, dirty appearance after a few years. A complete repainting or residing project might be your best restoration option if your siding’s original vibrant hue is a distant memory.
Rot and Blistering
Wood shingles and siding are especially prone to moisture damage in the form of rotting, insect infestation, and paint bubbling. Early warning signs are paint blisters, soft or spongy areas, tiny holes, and frass dust from pests. Fiber cement sidings are also vulnerable to paint-lifting blisters from trapped moisture behind the finish coat. These issues will require resealing and repairs to prevent rapid deterioration of your home’s exterior.
Tell-Tale Signs of Roof Damage
The roofing on your home often tells a different story than your siding. The signs of damage on a roofing system can often be visible from the ground, including missing shingles, roof leaks within your home, and more.
Broken or Missing Roofing Materials
Storm debris, such as branches or hail striking your roof, can crack, split, or dislodge shingles and tiles. High winds can progressively pry tabbed shingles and heavier slate roofing pieces. The result is sporadic bare patches that allow water intrusion into the vulnerable underlayment. Carefully scan the entire roof surface after a storm for any missing materials or cracked parts, paying close attention to flashing around joints and roof penetrations.
Roof Leaks or Water Spots within Your Home
If you notice stains on your ceilings, walls, or attic rafters after heavy rain, it’s a surefire sign of active roof leakage. Closely monitor any water spots after wet weather. Take notes on new water damage so you can pinpoint the origins of the leak up on the roof plane.
Don’t let a seemingly minor drip become a major ceiling collapse or expensive interior repair job – call a roofing pro for repairs as soon as leaks arise!
Loose Granules from Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingle surfacing contains mineral granules that help protect the inner bituminous waterproofing layers. However, natural weathering and storms can gradually erode the shingles over time. One sign of advanced weathering is accumulated piles of dark grit in gutters or downspouts. Though normal, significant granule loss leaves shingles vulnerable to UV damage, leakage, and a reduced lifespan; it’s a cue that they’ll need replacement soon!
Poor Gutter Performance
Clogged, leaking, or damaged gutters can also cause issues for a roof. Excessive amounts of water draining onto a lower roof or down spouts directing water sideways on a roof can both cause significant damage. Closely inspect for leaks at seams, sagging areas, disconnected sections, and debris blockages throughout the gutter system. Proper water diversion of the roof is critical to prevent premature breakdown and ensure the roof’s longevity.
Debris on Your Roof
Debris, such as tree branches, hailstones, and more, can all contribute to your roofing system’s decay. Carefully inspect the roof’s surface at least once or twice per year. Schedule semi-annual professional cleanings to keep your roof clear and functional! Don’t allow small debris to progress into severe clogs in your gutters, impacting roof performance.
Prioritizing roof repairs with a trusted local contractor like Tevelde and Co. protects your attic, insulation, and living space from incremental damage stemming from the exterior. We strive to catch minor issues before they cascade into severe damage! Our thorough inspections and comprehensive maintenance plans can also prevent problems throughout the year. Reach out today for more information!
Tevelde and Co. are Professional Exterior Contractors in Omaha
Serving Omaha area homeowners since 2013, the experts at Tevelde and Co. are proud to be your trusted local partners for roof and siding repair and replacement. We have an in-depth understanding of the metro area’s diverse and sometimes extreme climate challenges. Our team stays current on the latest building codes, innovations, and material options to stand up to the Midwestern weather all year round. Most importantly, our personable and tailored approach ensures every client’s complete satisfaction from the initial inspection to the final job walkthrough!
Offering Top-Rated Roofing and Siding Repair Services
From storm restoration to maintenance and upgrades, Tevelde and Co. offers a comprehensive range of exterior repair, replacement, and protection services for property owners in Eastern Nebraska. We can handle anything from small trouble spots to massive exterior makeovers for residential and commercial clients. No project is too small or too large for our team of Omaha exterior experts!
Over a Decade of Localized Expertise
With deep roots in the Omaha community, Tevelde and Co. bring extensive local knowledge to every exterior job. We recognize the exact stressors your home’s exterior endures during scorching summers, brutally cold winters, and turbulent spring storms. Our roofing and siding solutions will stand the true test of time thanks to durable materials and skilled installation refined over a decade of serving Nebraskans.
Article Updated: 4/17/24 | Published: 10/2/23
About The Author: Todd Tevelde
Todd Tevelde wrote this helpful article, How To Identify Exterior Damage, to help educate homeowners about their home exterior options. Todd is an expert in home exterior renovations and the founder of Tevelde and Co. With over 10 years of experience helping homeowners, Tevelde and Co. has become one of the most trusted contractors in the greater Omaha area. For more information contact Tevelde and Co. today!
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