When you think of wind, what comes to mind? Let us guess:
Light summer breezes, a kite flying lazily through the sky, while waves roll across the ocean. Sounds beautiful, no? Little did you think the wind could be a FORCE OF DEADLY DESTRUCTION!!! ☠️☠️☠️
…we’re kidding. Kind of. While high winds don’t need to leave you quaking in your boots, they can be a source of major damage to your roof.
That’s why, as homeowners, it is important to learn what wind damage to a roof looks like so that you can repair the problem quickly and efficiently.
Our goals for this article are to analyze:
- What qualifies as a high-speed wind
- When to contact your insurance provider
- When to call in a qualified roofing contractor
Identifying Dangerous Wind Speeds
The average person doesn’t have much of a concept of what high wind speeds look and feel like. But when they hit, it can feel obvious. But how fast does the wind need to be to cause trouble for you and your home?
- Wind speeds of 45-55 MPH can tear tree limbs off of the surrounding foliage and blow away any existing loose shingles.
- Wind speeds of 55-75 MPH can uproot entire trees and rip secure shingles from your roof.
- Wind speeds above 75 MPH will pretty much guarantee widespread tree damage around your property and can even flip smaller structures, such as sheds, mobile homes, and greenhouses.
While your senses alone will be able to tell you when a storm is a-brewin’, we always recommend checking in with your local news station and following their weather safety recommendations.
7 Major Signs of Wind Damage
After a major weather event, it is important to walk your property and take note of any damage that may have occurred. This can be easier said than done. If you don’t know what roof wind damage looks like, you might miss something important! Check out our list of 7 common signs of wind damage to get an idea of what to look for.
1) Missing Shingles
One of the most common signs of a wind-damaged roof is missing shingles. High winds can easily rip shingles from your roof, particularly if they were loose in the first place. Loose or missing shingles can allow water to seep through the underlayers of your home, leading to leaks and a rotting roof deck. A speedy repair can help avoid this.
2) Fallen Trees
One of the biggest – and most hazardous – signs of damage from strong winds is fallen trees and branches. Not only does this create a huge mess that can be difficult and costly to deal with, but the impact damage to your roof can cause severe structural damage to your roof and home.
If a tree has fallen on your home, you will undoubtedly need professional help to restore your home. However, check your shingles for dents and cracks that may have been caused by falling branches and tree limbs.
3) Loose Shingles
Sometimes your shingles won’t get blown off completely but will become loose. This can still allow water damage to occur if you do not get it properly repaired!
4) Roof Leaks
If your shingles look fine, but you are noticing a roof leak pop up after a storm, there may be some hidden damage that you can’t spot with an untrained eye. We recommend scheduling a roof inspection with a qualified contractor who may be able to spot signs of damage that you missed.
5) Granule Loss
If, after a storm, you are finding a black, gravel-like substance in your gutters or on your driveways, you may be dealing with granule loss. While all roofs will shed their’ granules over time, too much granule loss could be a sign that it is time to replace your shingles.
6) Damaged Soffits and Fascia
Just as your shingles can be damaged by high winds, so can your soffits and fascia! It’s important to examine them for any loose areas and take note of any bends, dents, or cracks.
7) Crooked Chimney
One serious consequence of high winds is chimney damage. This may appear in the form of loose chimney flashing or even your chimney looking crooked or off-kilter. We recommend finding a chimney specialist to take a look and the wind damage to your chimney as soon as possible.
How to Repair Wind Damage
The path to repairing wind damage will depend on a lot of different factors, including:
- The extent of the damage
- What roofing materials you use
- Whether or not you are hiring a contractor
In general, if you simply need to replace a few shingles, you can easily do this on your own. However, if you are dealing with a more specialized roofing material, such as metal or stone, we recommend calling in the professionals.
Additionally, if you are planning on using a roofing contractor, it is essential that you thoroughly document the site of the damage in order to help you with filing an insurance claim.
Cost of Roof Repairs
Repairing a roof can be expensive, costing anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a full $10,000-15,000 roof replacement. Luckily, if the need for the roof damage was caused by a situation outside of your control, such as a severe weather event, your homeowners insurance policy should cover some or all of the cost!
As soon as you’ve documented the damage, we recommend getting in contact with your insurance company. They can help advise you as to whether or not you should file an insurance claim and what your next steps should be.
Get Professional Help When You Need It Most
When you need a trusted company to help you with your roof repairs, turn to the reliable team at Clean Cut Roofing! As the leading roofing contractor in East Texas, we can help you repair any residential or commercial roof damage that comes your way. Contact us today to get started on your project!
