Hurricane Helene's Impact on Georgia Homeowners

Sep 25

3 min read

As Georgia prepares for heavy rainfall in the coming days, it's important to monitor your roof and ceilings closely. Prolonged rain, especially from hurricanes or tropical storms, can overwhelm even a well-functioning roof’s drainage system, revealing hidden weaknesses.

Forecasters predict 8-10 inches of rain over the next 2-5 days, a significant amount that can quickly saturate your roof. This intense downpour can expose weakened or damaged areas of your shingles, leading to leaks without any visible exterior damage. Water pooling in low-lying spots on your roof adds extra weight and pressure, which can cause sagging and cracks. Even minor water infiltration can escalate, leading to serious issues like mold growth, wood rot, and extensive structural damage.

If your roof was installed in the last 5-7 years, the risk of leaks is typically low. However, for older roofs, your vulnerability depends on the quality of the materials used and the workmanship during installation. Even small issues, like an exposed nail or a cracked shingle, can cause major problems when faced with this much rain.

Things to Do Over the Next Few Days to Prevent Roof Leaks

Inspect Your Attic or Crawl Space Regularly Grab a flashlight and check your attic or crawl space a couple of times over the next few days. Fresh leaks can be hard to spot because darkened wood may not be immediately visible. Instead of just looking up at the roof, take a close look at your insulation. If you have blown-in insulation, it should look uniform. If you notice voids or pockets, these could indicate water leaking from the roof above that area.
Focus on Areas Around Pipes and Exhaust Fans Pay special attention to the areas where pipes and exhaust fans exit through the roof. These are common spots for leaks because the seals around the covers can wear down over time. After about 7 years, these seals may crack, allowing water to seep in. If you notice signs of wear or damage, it may be time to have them resealed.
Look for Sunlight in the Attic During daylight hours, turn off all the lights in your attic. Take a moment to scan the space and look for any spots where sunlight is shining through. Light around the perimeter and pipes is normal, but if you see light coming through other areas, it could indicate a potential roof problem. If you find any, snap a photo and send it to us at jonathan@mbroofs.com or text us at 770-364-1668.
Check Your Gutters During Heavy Rain: What to Look For
When it's safe but still raining heavily, grab an umbrella and take a moment to inspect your gutters. You're looking for any signs of water flowing over the edges or behind the gutters, which can indicate a few potential issues:
1. Clogged GuttersIf water is overflowing, your gutters may be clogged with leaves, debris, or dirt. Regular gutter cleaning can prevent this buildup and help your system handle heavy rainfall properly.
2. Water Flowing Behind the GuttersIf you notice water running behind the gutters, it could mean they are beginning to pull away from the house. This could lead to more significant damage over time, as water seeps into areas it shouldn't.
3. Undersized Gutters-The standard size of Gutters now is 5"-6". Ill write another post as to why this in another post but for now essentially Codes dictating the overhang of shingles extended out ~1 inch and thus smaller gutters left on when the roof was replaced in in the last 15 years are undersized causing much of the water to flow completely over the gutters.

Feel free to snap of photo of any concerns you might have, send it Jonathan@mbroofs.com or Text 770-364-1668. We will get back to you ASAP with our thoughts.

If you should have a leak or worse storm damage call or text us any time. 770-364-1668. If we are not able to answer leave a message and we will call you back ASAP.