People like gusty winds when hoisting flags, windsurfing or kiting, but when it comes to wind damage, everyone hates it. Minor wind damage to your dream home can burden your finances, ruin your plans and force you to postpone your favourite vacation you might be waiting for months. You can’t do anything about nature after the wind damages the roof!
Calling for a roof repair is the only and best thing you can do after a high-speed wind, hurricane, hail or snowstorm. But what if you can’t decide whether it’s time to call in a roof repair specialist?
Sometimes, there is no visible damage to the roof of our house. For instance, there is no hole or a fallen tree. Still, you must get your roof repaired due to the invisible damage caused. It could be anything, such as shingle damage, crooked chimneys, leaks in the ceilings, damaged flashing, etc.
But the question is how to determine whether to contact a roof repair professional. For that purpose, keep reading this blog as it discusses the eight signs of damage to your roof due to a storm or gusty winds this season and what action a homeowner must take after identifying wind damage on the house roof.
Wind Damage: What You Need to Know About It?
Some homeowners think that wind damage can only occur when the wind is severe. However, this is not always the case, as wind damage can also occur if your roof is old or you don’t take care of the maintenance of your roof. In addition to the wind alone, various storms accompanying high-speed winds can contribute to roof damage, so let’s delve deep to learn about them all.
- Thunderstorms: These always occur with lightning and heavy rain, causing significant damage to the roof.
- Hailstorms: Large hail storms have the potential to damage your roof severely, especially if the hailstones are bigger in size.
- Ice Storms: These generally occur during winter and can harm your roofs significantly, causing leaks and structural damage.
So, now you are familiar with the storm types that can cause damage to your roof. It’s time to learn about the signs of wind damage on your roof.
8 Signs of Wind Damage On Your Roof
So, here are the eight sureshot signs of wind damage on your roof that call in for a roof damage specialist:
1. Missing Shingles
One of the most common things that happens after high-speed winds is tearing off the shingles of your roof. It mainly happens to those roofs installed years ago that become weak over time. Missing shingles are an obvious sign that wind has damaged your roof significantly, and it’s time to call for repairs or roof replacement.
This type of damage to your roof requires immediate action. Otherwise, it may turn into a big problem, including leaks and further damage. Though missing shingles are visible from the ground, you can still climb to the top to inspect the depth of the damage. Also, you might find the roofing material scattered around your house if the wind has torn off the shingles from your roof.
2. Lifted or Damaged Shingles
If no shingle is missing from the roof, your next step is to check for shingle damage, as ignoring it can lead to water leakage and expensive repairs. If you see damage to the shingles due to high-speed winds, which can be defined as dents, holes, and cracks in them, you must get them repaired as soon as possible.
Otherwise, dented and cracked shingles will get torn or cause water damage to your house. Though it is very easy to spot missing shingles from the roof, you can’t see damaged shingles from the ground. You have to climb to the top of your roof in order to see if any shingle has been cracked or damaged due to gusty winds. Also, it will be better to take on the cost of a roof inspection.
3. Shingle Granule Loss
Typically, asphalt shingles have a layer of granules that protect their surface from solar ultraviolet rays. It is not uncommon to loosen some granules over time. However, during heavy winds and rain, it gets knocked off quickly. Once your shingles lose protective granules, they become vulnerable to moisture exposure and high-speed winds.
If you can see bald spots on your shingles or you find granules in the downspout, it’s a sign of wind damage, and you need to do something about it. Those with insurance can plan for an insurance claim if eligible, while others should consider getting their shingles repaired by a professional.
4. Clogged Gutters
After heavy winds accompanied by rain, the gutters on your roof get clogged, and the water sitting in them has nowhere to go. It gets pooled up underneath your shingles, causing severe damage to the fascia and eaves of your roof. If you don’t act promptly, it might cause further damage to your roof or home.
So, get ready to call a gutter cleaners specialist if the gutters are clogged, as it will contribute to further damage. Oftentimes, high-speed winds don’t cause blockage in your gutter but damage or displace the water drainage system. In this case, the water might enter the ceiling or other components of your roof, leading to structural damage.
So, it is your responsibility to ensure that the drainage pipes are securely attached to the roof just after the hailstorm or high-speed winds stop. Moreover, take your time to clear the debris from the gutters and make sure that the water doesn’t overflow and cause water damage to your house.
5. Water Stains
As discussed above, clogged gutters can cause water damage to your house. What if you don’t see any obstacles in the drainage pipes but see water stains on the walls or the ceiling? It’s a sign that your asphalt shingles are damaged or torn off, or the water drainage system needs to be repaired ASAP.
Sometimes, the pipes get damaged from inside that we can’t see from the ground or even the top of the roof. It’s the time when you must reach out to professionals for assistance; otherwise, it may damage your roof further, and homeowners might be aware of how dangerous water damage is.
So, if you see water stains on the ceiling after high-speed winds and heavy rain, repair the drainage system or shingles on your own or get professional assistance promptly.
6. Debris on the Roof
After heavy wind and rain, the roof of your house might get flooded with branches, debris, and sticks. If you notice all these things on your roof, there is a higher chance of damage to your roof by the high-speed winds. Only heavy winds can make these things accumulate on the roof of your house.
However, if it doesn’t damage your roof, you should not let the debris sit for longer; get it removed as soon as possible. Unnecessary items on the roof can cause sagging, and that’s obviously not good for your home. While removing the waste from the roof, ensure to check the roof for any damage.
7. Dented Siding
High-speed winds associated with hailstorms can dent everything that comes their way, and the siding of your house is no exception. So, if your home has suffered a hailstorm accompanied by gusty winds, it’s time to check for damage to the siding. Winds always leave a mark on the siding of houses.
The level of damage high-speed winds can cause to the siding of your home depends on the wind’s direction. You can easily determine whether the high-speed wind has damaged the siding of your home by walking around your property. If you notice dents on the siding, there is a higher chance you will find damaged shingles.
Whether the siding of your house is dented or the shingles are damaged, you must get storm damage restoration services to get them replaced or repaired soon. Otherwise, it may cause further damage or ruin the aesthetics of your home.
8. Roof’s Component Damage
If shingles or the drainage system of your house are not damaged after high-speed winds, you should inspect the other components of your roof. It may include the vents, chimney, pipe boots, eaves, gutters, soffits, flashing, etc. There are higher chances of roof damage if you notice cracks, dents or fractures on these components.
You should inspect your roof thoroughly to determine how much damage has been done due to high-speed wind. Act immediately if you find any damage to the roof of your home, as it might turn into a big problem, which means more expenses. Consider hiring a roof damage inspection specialist if getting to the roof is not possible for you!
Final Verdict
The first thing homeowners do after facing a wind storm is check if everything in and around their house is alright. Everything needs to be repaired as soon as possible so it doesn’t cause further damage. But as a non-pro, it is difficult to determine or assess the damage caused by high-speed winds. This exclusive blog contains a list of eight signs of wind damage on your roof. So keep these signs in mind while inspecting your roof to prevent any further damage, such as water leakage and get everything fixed ASAP!
