What To Do When Your Roof Suffers Wind Damage
When your roof suffers wind damage, it’s crucial to spot the damage indicators and understand the necessary steps to address them. Immediate recognition of such damage can prevent minor issues from escalating into significant, costly repairs. Here’s the essential information you need to confidently navigate the aftermath of wind damage to your roof, ensuring prompt and effective solutions.
What Kind Of Winds Cause Wind Damage?
The wind can damage your roof surprisingly easily. Winds as low as 45 miles per hour have been known to cause damage. The faster the wind, and the longer it blows at high speeds, the more likely damage becomes.
That’s because your roof, as well as surrounding trees, yard debris, and other dangers, might be able to handle a gust or two of high winds without a problem. Sustained winds are a lot more likely to cause problems – especially if you have sustained winds and other challenging conditions like rain or hail.
Some types of roofs hold up better in high wind conditions, but all roofs are susceptible to some kind of wind damage in extreme conditions. Fortunately, roof repair can fix all but the worst problems.
Signs Your Roof Has Been Damaged
Not everyone knows how to spot roof damage when they are looking at it. Here are some of the most common signs that your roof has damage and needs an inspection and repair:
- Loose or Missing Shingles: The most common signs of damage, and one of the easiest to spot, are loose and missing shingles or shakes. Tiles are less likely to come off, but loose or cracked roof tiles are another sign of damage.
- Curling and Peeling Shingles: Shingles and shakes can also show wear and tear by curling at the edges, or even starting to peel away from your roof. If you notice your roof seems to have some extra texture after a storm, that’s a sign of the problem.
- Granule Loss: Shingles are covered in granules that help provide a variety of beneficial properties. The granules will naturally come off over time, but if you notice a lot of them have come off at once, that’s another sign of damage.
- Indoor Leaks: Indoor leaks are a sign no one wants to experience firsthand, but they pretty much always mean that there is some roof damage.
- Chimney Problems: If your home has a fireplace, it can also signal a problem. If your chimney isn’t working the way it should, it’s a good idea to get a roof inspection to make sure your roof isn’t the source of the problem.
- Roof Divots: Divots are rare unless you’ve had a lot of damage building up over time, but they can happen. If you notice a divot or dent, you should get a roof inspection as soon as possible.
- Debris On or Around Your Roof: Even if your roof looks fine, storm debris on or around your roof can be a sign that damaging winds were a problem in the last storm.
What To Do About Wind Damage On Your Roof
Anytime you notice damage on your roof you should first contact your homeowners’ insurance and let them know that you might need to make a claim. Depending on your insurance they may want to send their inspector out to take a look at your roof.
It’s also a good idea to contact a roof repair service like Rapid Roofing to perform an inspection and make repair recommendations.
Depending on the state of your roof, recommendations could be a repair or a replacement. Especially if your roof was already in rough condition, wind can easily make a replacement the better option.
Not sure what roof replacement can cost? Our article discussing the Average Cost of Residential Roof Replacement will talk you through the variables so you know what to expect.
Looking for Roof Repair Services?
If your roof suffers wind damage, you know that this is an urgent issue. Your roof should never have to wait. That’s why at Rapid Roofing we prioritize fast repairs and replacements and work hard to make sure you get the best possible results in as little time as possible.
If you need your roof repaired after wind damage, contact us for a free inspection and start the repair process right!