You know the scene from “The Wizard of Oz” where the farmhands are running around trying to round up the horses, shouting, “It’s a twister! It’s a twister!” 🌪️ Sometimes, when you are a homeowner dealing with high winds, life can feel just that chaotic.
High wind speeds can be incredibly damaging to the exterior of your home. It is not uncommon for homeowners to deal with serious roof damage that leaves their homes vulnerable to further water damage.
If you are dealing with wind damage to a roof, you know that it can be frustrating and demoralizing. If you aren’t sure where to turn next, we’ve got your back. We’re to help you learn:
- How to spot roof damage
- How to repair it
- How to prevent further damage
Keep reading to become a wind damage expert!
How Does Wind Damage Your Roof?
If this is your first time living in an area with frequent strong winds, you might not be too worried. After all, the idea of wind doesn’t tend to leave most of us shaking in our boots.
But the truth is that roof wind damage can be serious, with consequences for your entire home. The biggest concern when it comes to damage to your roof due to strong winds is that it can remove shingles that protect your home from water damage.
Water finding its way through the layers of your roof can lead to a whole host of problems, including:
- Ceiling leaks 💧
- Stains 🟡
- Mold and mildew growth 🍄
- Roof collapse 💥
Not so fun, right? If you are looking to avoid a roof replacement, you need to learn how to spot the various signs of roof damage and what to do to prevent it.
5 Signs of Wind Damage to a Roof
So, what does roof damage look like, exactly?
The good news is that there are some clear signs to look for, particularly after high winds. Here are the most common signs of wind damage to your roof.
1) Missing Shingles
The easiest type of wind damage to spot is missing shingles. You may find the blown-off shingles sitting on your lawn, or perhaps you just see a gap on your actual roof.
Even if just a few shingles are missing, you will want to replace them as soon as possible. Missing shingles provide a clear path for water to seep through the layers of your roof. In some extreme cases, you may find that you need to replace whole sections of your roof deck.
2) Bent Shingles
Occasionally, your shingles will not fully detach from the roof. Instead, they will partially detach. This can present as either a bent or a curled shingle. Sometimes, you will even be able to spot them flapping in the wind.
Even though they are still technically attached to your roof, bent shingles still have the potential to let water into your home.
3) Leaks
Got a ceiling leak after a storm? The problem may not be from the rain itself. As we’ve mentioned, shingles that are no longer installed properly allow water to seep through to the lower layers of your roof and can start to leak through your home’s ceiling.
Not only do leaks run the risk of ruining things like your floors, ceilings, and walls, but they also can pose a huge fire hazard as water leaks into your electrical wiring. As soon as you notice a leak, we recommend scheduling a professional inspection of your roof.
4) Water Stains
Have you spotted brown or yellow stains forming on your ceiling or walls? This is typically indicative of a leaky roof. Stains could mean that water is pooling in your ceiling and should quickly be looked at by a professional.
5) Broken Gutters
Strong winds can pull your gutters fully or partially off of your roof line. Your gutters are a crucial part of your roofing system. They are designed to prevent water from pooling on the roof and instead divert it away from your home.
Wind damage to a roof could possibly mean your gutters have been broken, you’ll want to hire a roofing contractor to reattach them as soon as possible.
What to Do When You Have Wind Damage
Now that you’ve identified the wind damage to your roof, you need a plan of action. Here are the steps you need to take.
- Document the Area – If possible, you will want to thoroughly document the damage to your roof. This will be helpful when it comes time to file an insurance claim. Be sure to take photos from multiple angles, as well as videos.
- Call a Contractor – We understand that many people feel the urge to DIY wind damage to their roofs. However, we always recommend hiring a professional roofing contractor. This will help ensure that all of your roof repairs are begin done properly the first time.
- Contact Your Insurance Company – If you are choosing to file an insurance claim you will want to contact your insurance company the day of the storm. Your home insurance policy should cover roof repairs that are caused by extreme weather. Have a question about your roof damage insurance claim? Many contractors are willing to help you through the insurance claim process.
- Make the Necessary Repairs – Once you have scheduled your inspection with a roofing contractor, you can make plans with them to start your roofing repairs. The sooner you can fix the damage to your roof, the better. This will help your home stay safe, no matter the weather.
Get the Help You Need!
Ready to get your roof back into working order? Call on the experienced team at Best Exteriors. We offer storm damage repairs in addition to our regular roofing services. Contact us today to get a free consultation on your roofing repairs!
