Living in North Louisiana means living with the weather. From severe spring thunderstorms to the remnants of hurricanes that push inland, homes in Saline and Bienville Parish take a beating year-round.
After a big storm passes, most homeowners do a quick walk-around of their property. If they don’t see shingles on the ground, they assume their roof is fine. Unfortunately, the most dangerous type of roof damage is often the kind you can’t see from the driveway.
The Danger of “Invisible” Storm Damage
A roof doesn’t have to be leaking today to be compromised. Storm damage often acts like a slow-moving clock. A small issue caused by hail or wind now can turn into a major leak six months down the road—often long after the insurance claim window has closed.
At Fontenot Home Inspection, we perform thorough roof inspections to identify these hidden issues before they cause structural rot or mold inside your home.
What We Look For: Wind vs. Hail
Different weather events damage roofs in specific ways. Here is what we look for during a professional inspection:
1. Wind Damage (The “Lift”)
High winds don’t always rip shingles off completely. Often, wind will lift a shingle up and break the adhesive seal that bonds it to the shingle below. Once this seal is broken, the shingle will flap in future breezes, eventually snapping off or allowing wind-driven rain to enter. We check for these unsealed tabs which are invisible from the ground.
2. Hail Damage (The “Bruise”)
Hail damage is tricky. It often dislodges the protective granules on asphalt shingles (those little gritty stones). When these granules are lost, the asphalt is exposed to the UV rays of the Louisiana sun, causing it to crack and fail prematurely.
We also check for “bruising”—soft spots on the shingle where the impact has fractured the fiberglass mat underneath, even if the surface looks okay.
Stay off the Ladder!
We cannot stress this enough: Roof walking is dangerous.
After a storm, roofs can be slippery, covered in debris, or structurally unsound. Across the San Fernando Valley (and especially here in rural Louisiana where emergency services are further away), ladder accidents are a leading cause of homeowner injury.
Let a professional handle the heights. We have the training and equipment to traverse roofs safely or inspect them remotely when pitch or conditions make walking unsafe.
When to Call an Inspector
You should consider a roof inspection if:
- A severe storm with hail has recently passed through Saline or Wafer Road.
- You are buying a home and the roof looks “older” (15+ years).
- You find shingle granules washing out of your downspouts.
- You see water stains on your ceiling or in your attic.
Protect Your Home from the Top Down
Don’t wait for a leak to tell you there is a problem. If your home has weathered a recent storm, let us take a look.
Contact Fontenot Home Inspection
📍 Your Local Roof Inspection Experts
📞 +1 318-436-4662
🌐 Schedule a Roof Inspection