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Exterior Genie Should Be Your First Call After a Storm

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Your roof should be your primary concern following severe weather and Columbia, SC gets a lot of weather that can do costly damage to your home. Unfortunately, the siding and the roof system take the brunt of severe weather. The city itself has been under a severe weather warning more than 40 times in the last 12 months with over 30 reports of hail. Hail and wind are responsible for some of the most extensive roof and siding damage in the area. It’s important to identify and correct this damage immediately to avoid more extensive and costly repairs in the future.

Impact of Severe Weather

Sometimes the damage caused by storms is immediately apparent, but that isn’t always the case. Gaping holes and large ping marks aren’t the only type of destruction left in the wake of severe weather. Many times, it takes the trained eye of a professional to identify storm damage on roofs. Several variables can affect the type and amount of damage caused by hailstorms and severe weather. Here are just a few considerations.

• The age and condition of your roof and siding help determine the degree of damage caused.
• The type of building materials, such as wood or asphalt, will react differently.
• Storm size, duration, and hail density all impact storm damage.
• Wind direction, speed, and changes directly affect the amount of damage caused.
• Natural barriers and neighboring structures, or lack thereof, can also help determine damage.

Immediate Attention

The damage caused by severe weather should not be ignored and you don’t want to procrastinate when it comes to inspecting your property, either. While only minor damage may be visible, more extensive damage can be lurking underneath. Unchecked storm damage can quickly go from minor repairs to major replacement. If you’re hoping to cover the cost of repairs with a little help from your homeowner’s insurance, they’re less likely to deny a claim that’s filed immediately. Most claims have a time limit anyway.

What to Look For

If you’re not an experienced contractor then it’s probably best to conduct your inspection from the ground for safety’s sake. The tell-tale signs of storm damage will be painfully obvious on surfaces such as decking, air conditioners, and gutters. Since most AC units are exposed, they can indicate how much damage your roof suffered. If your deck and/or gutters show dings and knicks, then you should call a reliable roofing contractor like Exterior Genie for a free roof inspection.

Exterior Genie is a licensed general contractor with more than two decades of commercial and residential roofing experience. As an Owens Corning preferred contractor with HAAG certification, our technicians are proficient in all types of residential roofs and the storm damage they can suffer. At Exterior Genie, we are always happy to answer questions, inspect your roof, or restore it to its highest standard to protect the integrity of your home.