How Does Wind Damage Your Roof?

Some of the effects of extreme wind damage are more obvious than others. For example, wind damage can cause entire sections of your roof to bend, lift, or even fall off. Other obvious damages can be caused by punctures from flying debris or branches, but then there are the not so obvious signs. Wind damage can aggregate over time causing issues of increasing severity you may not notice until it’s too late.

Any time wind lifts shingles away from your roof, roofing nails loosen and the sealant bond between the shingle and the roof is broken, increasing the likelihood that water will make its way into your home even if the shingle stays on the roof. Missing shingles can create weak points so that future wind storms can get underneath the remaining shingles, creating lift and risking entire sections of shingles flying away. Meanwhile, weakened corners, valleys, and flashings allow water to seep into your home.

What Should You Look for?

After heavy winds, perform a quick external inspection of your home’s roof. Watch for these signs of moderate to severe wind damage:

• Missing shingles. Look for obvious bare spots on your roof as well as shingle debris scattered about your property.

• Damaged shingles. Shingles that are damaged may be missing granulation, curled at the edges, cracked, broken, or torn.

• Damaged or missing roof components. Components such as ridge vents and gutters may be cracked, sagging, broken, or missing.

• Tree limbs and debris. Tree limbs, leaves, and other debris on the roof indicates winds heavy enough to lift shingles and begin causing water damage.

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Next, perform an interior inspection. Watch for any signs of water damage, such as sagging, leaky, or discolored top-floor ceilings. In addition, check your attic for the same, as well as any wet rafters.

When Should You Call?

If you experience a wind storm with gusts approaching or exceeding 50 miles per hour, damage to your roof severe enough to warrant repairs is likely. As soon as you notice the above signs of damaged roofing components call a roofing expert. Failing to repair minor damage to your roof can allow wind to further damage shingles, increasing your home’s risk for moisture intrusion with each subsequent storm.

Contact a roofing repair expert to assess the damage to your roof and receive a quote for any repairs before beginning work. Addressing the issue now can prevent water damage as well as total roof replacement in the future.