Heavy rain, pounding hail, driving wind and massive blizzards – these are all the realities of life in Central Minnesota and the Twin Cities Metro. As a general contractor serving those areas, Angell’s Construction is no stranger to storm damage repair. If the weather broke it, we can fix it, which means we’re plenty familiar with the most common types of storm damage and repair. Here are the problems we encounter and solve on a regular basis!
Hail Damage to Roof
Hail’s potential for damage is equal to its size. When they are 0.7″ in diameter, hailstones usually only tear away asphalt shingles that are already worn out. When they are only a little bit larger at 1″ diameter, hailstones can hit hard enough to do permanent damage to a brand new roof.
Sometimes hailstones only bruise shingles. Bruises are dings, dents or other areas that are damaged by high-velocity impact. Bruises may be accompanied by some granule loss and appear to be a different color from the surrounding roof, although they aren’t always easy to spot. Significant bruising doesn’t necessarily warrant total roof replacement, although it will shorten the roof’s previously expected lifespan of 15 to 30 years.
Serious roof hail damage takes the form of cracked and broken shingles. These are no longer impermeable to water, which means immediate repair is required to prevent extensive damage to the rest of the house. If you suspect that a hailstorm has done any amount of damage to your roof, contact a storm repair contractor. Shingle damage isn’t always easy to detect!
Hail Damage to Siding
If it can damage a roof, hail is also large enough to do the same to vinyl siding. Vinyl siding can easily last between 20 and 40 years under normal weather conditions, but a single blast of hailstones is powerful enough to leave behind permanent chips, dents, cracks and even holes.
Vinyl siding can still hold out for a number of years when it only has cosmetic damage. It will be weakened, however, and therefore more susceptible to future weather attacks. Dented and chipped siding also isn’t very easy on the eyes, which is usually enough to induce homeowners to request siding replacement.
Cracked or punctured siding has a more pressing need for immediate repair. Those surfaces are no longer effective at repelling rainwater and meltwater, and must be replaced to protect the integrity of the frame and foundation.
Wind Damage to Roof
Asphalt shingles can usually withstand wind gusts as fast as 60 mph, although slower wind is often enough to do permanent damage. When it hits a roof at the right angle, wind is able to work its way between the shingles and pry them loose or even free. Wind can also lift a roof’s corners and edges loose. Those areas are especially susceptible to moisture infiltration, and must be repaired to prevent additional property damage.
If a house is situated in an especially windy area, then replacing its damaged roof with shingles that are rated for higher wind resistance may be a sound move. Class A shingles are designed to withstand 60 mph winds; Class D, 90 mph; Class F, 110 mph. Any new roof is better equipped to endure heavy wind than an old one, and a skilled contractor will undo all of the old roof’s potential amateur installation flaws. If a windstorm has only peeled a few shingles away, they alone may be replaced in order to prevent water infiltration.
Wind Damage to Siding
When siding is old or worn out, it becomes especially vulnerable to wind damage. Even one moderate gust can be enough to pry a siding panel away from the wall until it sticks out at a 90° angle. Naturally, a house with loose siding is no longer watertight – and the problem only becomes worse if the same windstorm has also impacted the roof.
Fortunately, you can expect better performance from your exterior once any part of it has been replaced with newly manufactured siding. FEMA advises that vinyl siding should be able to withstand wind gusts as fast as 110 mph. When correctly installed, most current production vinyl siding can easily endure wind gusts far stronger than that.
If your home in Minnesota has recently been damaged by a storm, Angell’s Construction is standing by to put things right again. In addition to roofs and siding, we also repair and replace windows and gutter systems. We also welcome you to contact us today if you would like new construction or remodeling that will stand up to Mother Nature’s toughest tests!