How to Tell If High Winds Damaged Your Roof
How to Tell If High Winds Damaged Your Roof
After a big storm hits, it's time to survey your property for damage. Before surveying your roof, make sure it's safe to do so by checking for downed wires and other safety hazards.
Wind doesn't hit property evenly, so even if some parts of your home look fine, they may be more vulnerable to leakage and other damage over time. Here are some signs your roof was damaged in high winds:
1. Water Stains
Your roof is one of the most critical elements of your property. It protects you, your family, and your belongings from the elements. Damaged roofing tends to be expensive, so it’s important to check your home for signs of damage after a storm.
A good place to start is inside your house. Look for water stains on your ceiling and damp rafters or walls. Water stains are often a sign of roof wind damage, especially if the leaks are widespread.
As winds increase to 75 mph and above, homeowners often see more extensive roof damage. This type of damage typically requires a professional inspection, filing an insurance claim, and several roof repairs or even a new roof. If your roof is leaking, contact a public adjuster and a roofing contractor with experience working with insurance claims. They can help you navigate the process and ensure that your claim is approved for the full cost of repair.
2. Missing Shingles
A strong wind event can cause shingles to crack, curl, and even fall off the roof. It’s always a good idea to carefully search the rooftop and surrounding property (but only when it’s safe to do so – don’t climb onto your roof if you’re not trained in this skill, and consult a professional roofing contractor before attempting any repairs that involve climbing).
Missing shingles are an immediate sign of wind damage that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. The shingle strips are the only barrier between inclement weather and your home, and without them, water can seep through and cause interior damage.
Look for the granules that cover your shingles, and note whether any have pooled in the gutter. As shingles age, they tend to shed these tiny granules, and wind can speed up this process. A sudden loss of granules, or a noticeable collection in the gutter, may indicate that high winds have caused roof damage.
3. Debris
Even if the winds themselves aren’t strong enough to cause direct damage to your roof, they may be strong enough to kick up debris like tree branches, shards of glass, or trash from your yard. These items can gouge, scratch, or puncture your roofing materials in addition to creating water damage.
During a storm, you should be safe to walk around your property and examine any damage from the ground – as long as you wear sturdy shoes or boots (steel toed are best), long sleeves, and gloves. If you have any questions, call a local roofing contractor right away.
While you’re inspecting the ground around your home, don’t forget to look at your gutters as well. Clogged or broken gutters can cause drainage issues that affect everything from your shingles to your interior walls and ceiling. This is especially true if the gutters are full of leaves and other debris that can’t pass water from your roof to the downspout.
4. Crooked Chimney
In addition to checking shingles and the corners and edges of your roof, make sure you look at the soffits, fascia and gutters for damage. If they have been impacted, your roof leaks could be coming from these areas and not the shingles themselves.
Another sign that high winds damaged your roof is a crooked chimney. This is a common stress point for roofs because it’s the highest part of your house and has nothing to protect it from the full force of the wind.
If you find any of the above signs of roof damage, do not hesitate to contact a professional roofing company for a property and drone evaluation. The longer you wait, the more likely the damage will spread and leave your home vulnerable to water leaks and other problems. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation. We offer a free inspection and will work with your homeowners insurance to file a claim if necessary.
The Stonemark Company
How to Tell If High Winds Damaged Your Roof After a big storm hits, it's time to survey your property for damage. Before surveying your roof, make sure it's safe to do so by checking for downed wires and other safety hazards. Wind doesn't hit property evenly, so even if some parts of your home…