Understanding Common Causes of Storm & Water Damage in Your Home
Minnesota and Wisconsin weather is no joke. Between hailstorms in the summer, ice dams in the winter, and the occasional tornado warning, homes in this region take a beating that most other parts of the country never see. Knowing what causes storm and water damage, and what to look for after a bad storm, can save you a lot of money and headaches down the road.
Hail Damage
Hail is one of the most common causes of roof damage in the Twin Cities area. Even hail that seems small can crack or dent asphalt shingles, knock off the granules that protect the shingle from UV rays, and create weak spots that lead to leaks months later. The tricky part is that hail damage isn’t always obvious from the ground. What looks like a perfectly fine roof after a storm can have significant damage that only shows up during a close inspection.
If your area got hit with hail, it’s worth having a roofer take a look before filing an insurance claim. A professional inspection documents the damage properly and gives you a clear picture of what you’re dealing with.
Wind Damage
Strong winds can lift shingles, pull flashing away from chimneys and vents, and in severe cases tear entire sections of roofing off. Wind damage often happens at the edges and ridgeline of a roof first, so those are the areas to pay attention to after a storm. Missing or lifted shingles let water in fast, so if you notice any after a windstorm, don’t wait to get it checked out.
Ice Dams
Ice dams form when heat escapes through your roof and melts snow near the peak, which then refreezes at the cold eaves and gutters. Water backs up behind the ice and can work its way under shingles and into your attic or walls. You’ll often see the evidence inside the house first; water stains on ceilings or walls near the exterior.
Good attic insulation and ventilation go a long way toward preventing ice dams, but once you have one, the damage needs to be addressed before the next melt cycle makes it worse.
Clogged or Damaged Gutters
Gutters do one job: move water away from your home. When they’re clogged with leaves and debris, water backs up and sits against your fascia boards, siding, and foundation. Over time that leads to rot, mold, and foundation issues that are significantly more expensive to fix than a gutter cleaning. After any major storm, check your gutters for debris, sagging, or sections that have pulled away from the roofline.
Siding Damage
Hail and wind don’t just damage roofs. Siding takes a hit too. Cracked, dented, or missing siding panels let moisture into your wall cavity, which leads to mold and insulation damage that you won’t see until it’s a big problem. If your roof took damage in a storm, have someone look at the siding at the same time.
What to Do After a Storm
If you’ve been through a significant storm, here’s a straightforward approach:
Do a visual check of your roof, gutters, and siding from the ground. Look for obvious missing shingles, dented gutters, or cracked siding panels. Check your attic for daylight or moisture. Document anything that looks off with photos and note the date of the storm. Then call a contractor for a professional inspection before contacting your insurance company.
The inspection step matters. A professional assessment gives you documentation that supports your claim and helps ensure you’re not leaving money on the table.
Galvin Home Renovations provides free storm damage inspections for homeowners throughout the Twin Cities metro and Western Wisconsin. If your home took damage in a recent storm, give us a call at (612) 518-9876 or request a free estimate online.