If you’ve lived in El Paso long enough, you’ve probably said some version of: “Since when does it rain this much here?”
El Paso is still a desert. According to the National Weather Service, our normal annual rainfall is only about 8.78 inches. But our climate isn’t static. The latest 30-year climate normals show El Paso’s average annual temperature increased by about 1.6°F compared with the previous period. Source: National Weather Service
For homeowners, the bigger question isn’t whether El Paso is becoming Dallas. It’s this: what is our weather doing to your roof?
El Paso roofs deal with extreme heat, UV exposure, wind, dust, and sudden rain. Sometimes roof damage is storm-related. Sometimes it is maintenance. Sometimes the roof is fine. The important thing is knowing what caused the issue.
What El Paso weather can do to your roof
Your roof lives through extreme heat, UV exposure, wind, dust and sudden rain. Over time, heat and normal aging can deteriorate roofing materials. Then a strong wind or rain event can expose weaknesses that may have already been developing.
A stain on your ceiling doesn’t automatically mean you need a new roof. A missing shingle doesn’t automatically mean you have an insurance claim. And an old roof doesn’t automatically mean your insurance company owes you a new one. You need to know what caused the damage.
When roof damage becomes an insurance question
Sometimes homeowners insurance can apply. The Texas Department of Insurance explains that homeowners insurance can cover roof damage caused by events such as storms, wind and hail, depending on the coverage in your policy. What insurance generally doesn’t cover is a roof that simply deteriorated because of age or normal wear and tear. Source: Texas Department of Insurance
That’s an important distinction for El Paso homeowners. We’re not a traditional hail market where homeowners have been conditioned to inspect their roofs after every major storm. Many of us simply don’t think about the roof until we see water coming through the ceiling. By then, the conversation can become much more complicated.
Don’t wait for the leak
After significant wind, hail or rain, look around your property. Missing or lifted shingles, displaced tiles, damaged flashing, water stains, ceiling discoloration and new leaks are all reasons to have the roof inspected.
The Texas Department of Insurance recommends checking for damaged or missing shingles after storms and documenting storm damage with photos or video when appropriate. Source: Texas Department of Insurance
Sometimes it’s insurance. Sometimes it’s maintenance.
This is where Invicta Roofing takes a different approach. We’re not here to tell every El Paso homeowner to file an insurance claim. We’re here to figure out what happened.
Sometimes we find legitimate storm damage that should be properly documented. Sometimes we find a maintenance issue that can be addressed before it becomes a much bigger problem. And sometimes? Your roof is fine. That’s good news, too.
El Paso homeowners already spend thousands of dollars protecting their homes. It’s time we become just as educated about the roof protecting everything underneath it. The weather may be changing. Your relationship with your roof should, too.
Not sure what the last storm did to your roof?
Let Invicta Roofing take a look.
Start with a free roof inspection and get clear answers before the problem gets bigger.
Be Protected. Be Invicta.