Key Signs that the Wind Damaged Your Roof

Strong winds alone can damage your roof, even without hail or similar harmful weather. There are different types of damage winds can cause to your roof: missing shingles, leaks, and gutter problems.

Roof shingles are especially vulnerable to high winds, despite being rated to withstand 90 mph strength. Damage to your roof can start at 50 mph, so you should know how to look out for such damage.

What Is Wind Damage?

Strong winds do not impact the roof evenly across all surfaces. The edges of the roof, the corners, and the ridgeline are particularly vulnerable to damage from winds.

The wind can curl or completely rip the shingle off, which will leave your roof exposed in those places, leading to leaks. Another possibility is the roof is “lifting.” Also, strong winds can blow debris around your house and can cause trees to fall on your roof. They can puncture the roof or break the shingles, so make sure you cut down any branches hanging above your roof before any possible storms or winds.

Keep in mind that debris brought by the wind, such as garbage, branches, or deck furniture, can often cause more damage than the wind itself.

How To Spot Damage

Roof Leaks:

These are probably the easiest to find; you will know because water will be coming into your

house where it’s not supposed to. Check your attic and your top floor for water

dripping from the ceiling or wet spots. Make sure you call a roofer right away!

Missing Shingles:

Be aware that high winds can pull out your roof’s shingles.

Curling Shingles:

Curling shingles can usually be found at the roof stress points, such as the edges, near the chimney, the corners, etc. When shingles get curled, they can no longer stop water from leaking through the roof, although they are usually harder to find.

Lifting Shingles:

These are hard to see unless you’re actually searching for them. The shingles look normal from the ground, but the wind can loosen the nails that are holding them down, which can lead to a leak.

The Gutter:

High winds can wash away the shingle granules and blow them into the gutter. Search for shingle granules in the gutter, and when you see them, call a professional roofer to check if your roof needs to be repaired.

Chimney Flashing:

Try to see if the chimney flashing is split or missing. This can be a stress point for strong winds, which can easily be taken out by a high wind hitting at the right angle.

What to Do if Your Roof is Damaged

If you have wind or debris roof damage, you need to get it fixed immediately. The longer you wait, the more damage it can cause. Roof repair and replacement cost a lot less without the added costs of repairing leaks or water damage.

Contact your insurance company to assess the damage and decide if you should file a claim. Make sure you document any damage that happened and keep receipts for all work that's done, including the work you do yourself, like covering holes in your roof, to facilitate reimbursement. Many companies will cover these costs that are submitted with a claim.

If you are looking for a quality roof replacement or repair, don’t hesitate to contact us.