Roof damage isn’t something you’re likely to worry about or notice as you approach your home. Instead, we’re generally relieved to see the skies lift and the light come through in a week of storms.
But keep in mind that hail or high winds might have caused substantial damage to your roof during those storms.
Wind damage may be caused by thunderstorms, wind storms, hail storms, and even tornadoes. Even strong winds can negatively impact unprotected structures or rooftops, causing water leaks and other potentially disastrous roof damage.
Here’s what you should know about wind damage to your roof and how to deal with it.
Spotting A Wind Damage In Your Roof
Roof Leaks – These are the simplest to spot since water is getting into your house where it shouldn’t be. Look for damp patches or water pouring from the ceiling in your attic or on the top floor. Make sure you contact a professional roofer right away!
Missing Shingles – Strong winds, heavy rain, or fallen tree limbs can all cause your roof’s shingles to come loose.
Curling Shingles – Curling shingles are most commonly encountered around roof stress locations, such as the edges, corners, chimneys, and ridges. Curled shingles can no longer prevent water from leaking through the roof, albeit they are more challenging to locate than a missing shingle.
Lifting Shingles – Unless you’re looking for them, the shingles appear to be in good shape from the ground. On the other hand, the nails have loosened, “lifting” the shingle up and perhaps shattering the sealant between each shingle layer, increasing the risk of a leak.
Gutter – High gusts and heavy rains can sweep the granules away from the shingle and deposit them in the channel. If you detect excessive shingle particles in the gutter, call a qualified contractor to come out and inspect your roof for repairs.
Chimney Flashing – Check to determine any missing or split chimney flashing. This high-wind stress point may be quickly lifted by a strong wind striking at precisely the proper angle.
Causes Of A Wind Damage
Changes in atmospheric pressure generate wind; when pressure differences exist, air travels from higher to lower locations, resulting in anything from a moderate breeze to heavy winds, depending on a variety of other circumstances.
The movement of wind gusts as they blow over and across your property – and hence the damage they might inflict – is not consistent.
Because they are more vulnerable to high stress than the central areas of your roof, the sides and edges of your roof are more prone to be affected by strong or wind gusts.
In addition, the wind doesn’t have to be particularly powerful to trigger roof damage. However, even the smallest gusts of wind may easily lift the shingles or metal panels off your roof in a matter of seconds, exposing your roof to rain and water damage.
Although not all destruction is visible to the human eye, every damage will result in leakage and more harm if left unattended.
Protecting & Avoiding Wind Damage
Instead of racks, choose lightweight landscaping materials such as shredded bark or mulch to safeguard your property from wind damage.
Make sure trees aren’t too close to your roof and get an assessment as soon as the weather clears up after a storm.
Do not put off contacting experts until your ceiling begins to leak—the sooner identified and corrected issues, the less money you’ll spend on repairs and replacements.
Consider investing in a more robust roofing material as well as storm shutters if you live in a region that gets a lot of storms or high winds.
If you don’t have permanent window shutters, it’s always a good idea to have some temporary plywood coverings in case of a significant storm. Also, if a storm is forecasted in your region, bring any outside furniture and items inside.
Whether or not a storm is approaching, it would help if you also got your roof evaluated. According to experts, professional inspections should be performed at least twice a year. So get it done as soon as possible before the cooling and heating seasons begin.
Regular roof inspections help to extend the life of your roof. In addition, it aids with the early discovery of minor issues before they become significant fixes.
The vents, flashings, drains, and gutters will all be examined by your roof. If any of these components malfunction, fix them as soon as possible. Any of these might become loose or pulled off your top during a storm, causing damage to your or your neighbor’s property.
A Final Word On What Is A Wind Damage & How To Deal With It
Even minor wind damage to your roof should be addressed to avoid future damage from storms, ice, and other extreme weather.
Because there are few things more essential to you and your family’s comfort and safety than the roof over your head, taking care of the concerns today will prevent more significant and expensive problems tomorrow.
We can guide you through the process and guarantee you get excellent roof repair at an affordable price, with the knowledge, honesty, and customer service skills to complete the project on time and within budget.
Yorkshire Roofing provides wind and storm damage restoration services to help you recover your home and prevent it from further damage.
Furthermore, we offer roof installation, repair, solar installation, insulation, and gutter services. Contact us immediately at (800) 794-7444 to discuss your roofing concerns.