If you’re a homeowner, you’ve probably experienced at least one severe rain, hail or wind storm. Unfortunately, storms and intense winds can cause extreme damage to exterior strictures, such as siding, roofs and windows. These structures often need to be repaired or replaced. Here are some of the most common types of repairs we service after storm damage has occurred, along with a few basic signs to check for structural damage.
Siding Repair or Replacement
The exterior of a home usually has the most significant amount of damage from a bad storm. After a hail storm, look for any chips, cracks, dings, dents or staining on your siding. If your home has a stucco exterior, inspect for holes, chipping and cracking in the stucco.
If there’s minimal damage, you may be able to repair your siding without replacing it. Do you have some old siding remaining from your original installation that can be used to patch holes? If you don’t have any leftover siding, we can find the closet match. This works best when replacing siding from an area that’s not as noticeable.
Your siding may need to be entirely replaced if the damage is too severe. There are several available options. Vinyl siding is extremely popular because it’s strong, durable and doesn’t decay or attract termites. Unlike wood or metal siding, you don’t have to paint vinyl. What’s more, it’s the easiest type of siding to replace even though it can be difficult to find a vinyl section that exactly matches the original piece.
Aluminum siding doesn’t require much upkeep, but it can be somewhat noisier. Another consideration is that aluminum can be dented easier. However, it looks stunning and is moderate in cost, although installation can cost more than other materials.
Wood clapboard siding looks beautiful and traditional, but it entails too much maintenance from caulking and painting. Also, it’s prone to warping, splitting and insect damage.
Cement fiber siding requires minimal maintenance and is constructed from recyclable materials, making it ideal of people who are environmentally conscious. On a down note, it can cost more than other materials.
Checking for Roof Damage
Roofs also suffer considerable damage after intense winds and storms. If you see curled, torn or cracked shingles, either lying on the ground or on your roof, they need to be replaced. For asphalt shingles, check for dents or bruises. If you have slate, tile or concrete shingles, look for cracks.
Examine your roof for missing shingles, as well as to see if they’re on your property. Tears in flashing and buckling around a roof penetration can indicate damage. Check for crumbling or excess roofing cement.
You’ll need to inspect your roof or ceiling for leaks. Furthermore, look for decayed or stained fascia and soffits. Inspect gutters for rust or decay. See if there are any missing sections or if the downspout is crammed with debris. Failing to unclog gutters can result in debris freezing, which places too much weight on gutter fasteners. This creates dangerous, icy conditions on walkways that can cause people to slip and fall.
Our Roof Repair Services
Once you’ve examined the amount of damage done to your roof, you’ll need to contact us as soon as possible so that you don’t have even more serious damage. Consider that procrastinating can lead to an accumulation of mildew and mold, which can mean additional costly repairs.
Our services for roof repair include those, such as shingle replacement, gutter installation, flashing replacement, flashing replacement, soffit and fascia repair and roof frame construction.
Sometimes, an entire roof needs to be replaced. The type of roofing material largely depends on where you live, besides personal preference. Asphalt shingles are cheap and easy to obtain, but they aren’t as attractive as other materials because they look flat.
Wood shake roofing is more expensive, but it looks more attractive. In fact, slate roofing is one of the most cosmetically appealing materials. But there are also some negatives. Besides being expensive, wood slate can be very slippery when walking on the roof.
There’s also metal roofing, which is mostly done on commercial buildings. Rubber slate roofing, also known as “faux” slate, is made of recycled materials and continues to be popular.
Other Considerations and Warnings
- Sometimes, windows become damaged from high winds, storms or hail. We also repair and replace windows. Some of the most common signs of window damage include broken panes, cracks and holes in windows, shattered windows, damaged window frames and broken panes.
- If you have a flat roof, check for tears, cracks and obvious patches, besides note any patched areas in your attic.
Our repair professionals at First Impressions Exteriors have earned a reputation for rendering quality service in siding, roofing, gutters and a wide range of other services. Please call us and find out more about what we have to offer. We work on both residential and commercial properties.