One of the first things you want to do after a big storm rolls through your area is to examine your roof for damage. High winds can lift asphalt shingles and rip them off. Tree branches can blow across your roof and scrape off shingles or even crash through the deck. You don't want to wait until you develop a roof leak or get an attic full of squirrels before you realize your roof needs repair. Here's how to inspect your roof for damage and make the needed repairs.

Examine from Ground Level

If you stand some distance away from your home, you can get a better view of your roof. You'll need binoculars, so you can see damage to shingles. Give your roof a thorough examination, looking for signs of shingles that are twisted or missing. If everything looks okay, you may not even need to climb up on your roof. If you see potential problems, you'll need to go up for a closer look or hire someone else to do it.

Climb on the Roof

You can examine your roof a lot better when you're on top of it. Plus, you'll be able to clear off branches and other debris while you're up there. This will also give you the opportunity to check out your gutters to make sure they survived the storm with no damage. If you have damage and your roof is looking worn out from age, you may decide it's time to replace the roof rather than try to repair it.

Replace Shingles

Replacing a few missing or damaged shingles is a fairly easy job you can do if you have basic home improvement skills. However, you also have to feel secure about working on your roof. If you have a fear of heights, or if your roof has a steep pitch, it's best to call a roofing contractor to do your repairs. Otherwise, you can buy shingles from a home improvement store and slide them into place. Nail them down using the same holes left behind from the old shingles.

If you have to replace a large section of damaged roofing, the repairs may be noticeable since you may not be able to get an exact color match when you buy the replacement shingles. If the repairs will be visible from the street, you may want to think about having a roofer install new shingles on the entire side of your house instead.

Cover Leaks

If you see holes in the roof deck, or notice leaks when it rains, then you'll want to cover that part of your roof with a tarp until the roofer can make repairs. If a lot of homes in your community were damaged by the storm, you may need to wait a few weeks until your roof gets fixed. You don't want it to be leaking that whole time. You can buy an inexpensive roof tarp and place it over the damaged section of your home. Secure it in place with boards, so the wind doesn't lift the tarp and rip it off the roof.

Roof repair isn't something every homeowner can do, even if the task is something fairly simple. If you're not physically able to climb a ladder safely, or if you feel uncomfortable walking on the roof, be sure to call a contractor or friend to help you check your roof, so you stay safe. Just don't put off making repairs because the damage could get worse if a leak develops and water starts seeping into your attic. For assistance, talk to a professional like Gulfside Roofing Inc.