You’ve checked the weather forecast, and it’s calling for gale-force winds and torrential rain. If you’ve ever experienced such a storm, then you know Mother Nature is about to release all of her force onto your home, especially your roof.
Roof wind damage can range from minor issues, like missing granules from your asphalt tiles to major ones, like missing tiles and fascia, making you susceptible to water leaks, mold, and more.
We’ll show you how to spot wind damage on your roof and what you can do to get your roof back in tip-top shape with an experienced local roofing contractor!
What is Roof Wind Damage?
If you live in a hurricane or tornado zone (or any other area well-acquainted with severe weather), you know the havoc these conditions can cause. Not only can high winds bend or curl your shingles, but it can also tear them clean off. Plus, if the winds are strong enough, they can even decapitate the roof right off your home.
Even more, the wind alone isn’t the only problem. Strong winds can carry heavy objects like tree branches and more, which can cause structural damage to any part of your home, including the roof.
3 Signs of Roof Wind Damage
For being an invisible element, strong winds often leave a trail of visible damage. While you might not see any obvious wreckage from the ground, your roof could tell a different story. Here are the three most common signs of roof wind damage.
1. Missing Shingles
Whether you step outside after a storm and notice multiple roof shingles on the ground or look up and see that several are missing, the end result is the same – you have wind damage on your hands.
2. Curling or Bent Shingles
After a severe weather spell, inspect your roof for lifted or otherwise upturned shingles. Upon visual inspection, curled tiles may appear out of alignment. If you notice this, you’ll want to contact a local roofing contractor to repair them before another gust blows them clean off.
3. Damaged Fascia
If you see bending or otherwise loosening in the fascia or soffit of your roof, this could lead to issues down the line. For instance, you could experience anything from cracks to total detachment. As for the fall-out? Potential cracks or openings could develop, inviting water damage and more. If left unattended, you could end up with water damage, mold, or critters on your hands.
How to Fix Roof Wind Damage
If you’ve experienced wind damage on your roof, you’ll want to take immediate steps to repair it, starting with an inspection.
Conduct a Careful Inspection to Assess the Damage
As soon as it’s safe, thoroughly inspect your roof to determine the extent of the damage. If you’re comfortable, you could manually assess the damage either by climbing to your rooftop or conducting a drone inspection.
You could also contact an experienced local roofing contractor to assess the damage. Going this route will give you peace of mind that they left no stone (shingle) unturned.
No matter how you inspect your roof, keep a detailed record of any roof damage for insurance purposes.
File a Homeowner’s Insurance Claim
If you have a homeowner’s insurance policy, you may be able to file a claim for wind damage. Once you file a claim, your insurance company will dispatch one of their adjusters to your home. They’ll assess the damage and determine how much they will cover.
The detailed roof inspection you conducted is especially important at this point. Detailed photographs and other documentation will accurately depict the damage to ensure your insurance company covers as much of the damage as possible.
Hire a Reputable Roofing Contractor
Most roofing repairs aren’t DIY-friendly. From a safety standpoint alone, it’s wise to hire an experienced and reputable contractor to assess and repair the damage to your roof. Plus, you’ll know they’ve accounted for all the damage and will repair it the right way.
Hiring a roofing contractor you can trust shouldn’t be a stressful process. Directorii vets only the best contractors in your area. That way, you know your roof repairs are in capable hands.
2 Preventative Tips to Protect Your Roof From Wind Damage
Some damage is inevitable. While we can’t control the force or frequency of the wind, we can take precautions year-round. Annual inspections and more will keep your roof in the best shape possible when it does endure the worst Mother Nature offers.
- Conduct Regular Roof Inspections
At a minimum, you want to inspect your roof at least once yearly. If you live in an area prone to severe wind and other weather conditions, you’ll want to conduct more frequent inspections to account for any damage. For instance, after any storm or spell of high wind, inspect your roof so that you can identify and make any necessary repairs ASAP. - Never Delay Repairs
Let’s say you discover missing shingles or, worse yet, a water leak. Damage like this can snowball into more significant (and expensive) repairs if you don’t act quickly. The sooner you choose a reputable roofing company, the better your chances of getting your roof back in shape quickly and affordably.
Repair Your Roof’s Wind Damage with a Contractor from Directorii
After severe wind gusts or any other storm, inspecting your roof for damage ASAP is critical! The sooner you do, the safer you’ll be. Plus, you’ll save time and money by quickly assessing the damage and taking a proactive approach.
Finding a local roofing contractor is the first step to nipping any wind damage in the bud.
