After a heavy storm, we hardly think about any possible roof wind damage that might have occurred. It’s even more improbable that you can see the damage as you pull up to your home. However, it is crucial to remember that storms can, and will, cause damage to your roof, especially from hail and high winds.
Your roof can suffer from loosened shingles, bang-ups, or spots that are missing asphalt.
So if your roof is old, and you suspect that there’s roof wind damage, call an experienced roofing company to look for all the possible signs for roof damage. That is information that your insurance company will require to cover the cost of wind damage to a roof.
How to Spot Loose Roof Shingles
Since high winds tend not to hit your roof uniformly, roofs are very susceptible to wind damage. High winds that collide with your roof will usually cause damage to the edges of the shingles. Moreover, if you have areas that are already loose, more damage can occur.
Loose parts happen to be easy targets because the winds can rip up the shingles more easily, consequently causing a chain reaction. Your roof can be damaged by debris and falling objects as well. If your roof is exposed to prolonged roof damage, leaks and rot can ensue due to water exposure.
Best Roof Type: High Winds
If you’re looking for the best roof for high-speed winds, for starters, the decking under the shingles needs to be very sturdy, and you have to make sure that your fasteners are high-quality. The quality of the craftsmanship is just as important. If you were to go with metal roofing, it would be capable of withstanding wind speed of over 150 mph.
How to Identify Wind Damage to a Roof
If your roof has recently had a run-in with winds of 45 mph or higher, then give us a call and we will take a look at your home for all of the common signs of roof damage.
Signs of wind damage include the following: chimney issues, granule loss, missing shingles, curling or peeling shingles, fascia, and indoor leaks or damaged soffit. Furthermore, high-speed winds can also tree branches to fall and damage your roof.
Shingle Curling and Peeling
The edges of your shingles are most likely to incur damage from high-speed winds. When we inspect your roof we will be on the lookout for curling shingles where the force of the wind began to peel the shingles. Shingles are designed to keep water out. Therefore if they lose it will cause water damage and a roof that will fall apart quickly.
Entire Shingles Missing
The easiest way to spot wind damage to your roof is the loss of entire shingles from your roof. If you’ve found shingles scattered in the yard or somewhere on your property, you should contact a professional to come to make sure there aren’t any immediate problems.
Tears or Cracks (Flat/Rubber Roof)
If your roof is flat, we’ll search for any tears or missing pieces in the roofing material. The force of the wind can lift the material and rip it off. What’s more, it can leave bubbles in the material which compromises its integrity.
Damaged Fascia or Soffit
Soffit and fascia are both designed to keep water away from the roof. These parts reduce the chances of your home suffering from a leak. When the soffit and fascia are damaged your home is susceptible to water damage and even small critters creeping in.
Strong winds can cause loose cracked or bent areas and even blow off the fascia completely if loose enough.
Chimneys
A crooked chimney is a sign that there is a problem. It’s common to find missing spots of lashing that can break the seal around the chimney and allow water inside.
Indoor Signs of Damage (Leaks)
Checking inside your home for roof damage is a good place to look. If you come across walls that are discolored, peeling, or have wet spots, then it’s highly likely that your roof is leaking.
Repairing Roof Wind Damage
We can repair your roof if it’s been damaged by wind. Of course, the size and scope of the repair will all depend on the kind of damage incurred, which can range from shingle replacement to a new roof.
If you notice that your roof is damaged, schedule a property evaluation straightaway because the damage will only fester the longer you leave your home vulnerable to the elements.