Your roof is designed to protect your household from the elements, but those same elements can do unforeseen damage. High winds, in particular, can strip the shingles from the roof, rattle gutters, and cause other problems that you won’t notice until it is too late. Damage can began at 50 mph gusts, so if you have been experiencing rather windy days, it’s time to seek out and repair any damages.
Here is everything you need to know about how to spot roof damage from wind.
What Is Wind Damage?
High winds begin at a sustained 40 mph or 50 mph gusts. Even with hours of howling winds, those gusts do not hit your rooftop at an even rate. The corners, angles, and ridge are all equally susceptible to wind damage, such as curling, ripping, tearing, and lifting shingles away from the roof.
How Wind Damages The Roof
Whenever shingles get torn off the roof because of wind, the areas are left exposed and can lead to leaks and water damage. Another problem that is caused by wind damage is called “lifting,” where the shingles may look like they are unbothered after a storm, but they have lost suction against the roof and the nails holding them in place were loosened. As shingles continue to lift, the sealant between the layers will break down, again leading to potential leaking.
High winds also blow debris, limbs, and other objects around. Debris can scratch at the roof. Fallen limbs can puncture the shingles or scrape them off. In fact, it is the debris that is blown around that causes the most problems, not the wind itself.
Signs of Roof Damage From Wind
Strong winds are never ideal weather. With weather patterns getting stranger and more unpredictable, you never know what those high velocity winds are going to whip up next! Once your region has seen strong winds, it’s important that you look out for the following signs of wind damage by an interior and exterior inspection.
1. Fallen debris
Strong winds damage the trees around your household and also fling heavier, bulkier items around the yard. Whenever you spot branches or other objects on your roof after a storm, you should suspect damage. To keep damages from occurring less often, be sure to trim branches back from your rooftop and try to store any objects from your yard, like buckets, barrels, and other things that could be launched at the roof inside your home or shed.
2. Damaged or missing shingles
You might notice granules, shingles, and shakes on your lawn after a storm. High winds are notorious for loosening the nails and blowing shingles off. Even if the shingles remained in place, you should look for abnormal curling or buckling.
3. Granules in the gutters
Yes, you might see granules occasionally while cleaning out your gutters. It is normal. Asphalt shingles shed off granules over the years. That said, excessive shedding should alarm you. This means that the roof has been damaged.
4. Loose or missing chimney flashing
Believe it or not, the chimney is a stress point on your rooftop, because it can experience lifting if the wind hits it at an angle. Closely examine the chimney. If it is leaning or has missing flashing, you will need to repair it.
5. Interior stains on ceiling or walls
Sometimes, you will find damage on your ceiling or walls, such as discoloration, peeling paint, and mold. Your roof has been compromised somewhere. Sometimes, you might also want to inspect your basement for puddles. Sometimes, when the soffits, fascia, and gutters are damaged, the water is not shuttled away from the foundation and can find its way inside.
6. Check the soffits and fascia
The soffits and fascia that protect the overhangs of your house can also be damaged in winds. Check for any decay and stains on the underside. Make sure none of the venting is clogged or broken. You also want to seek out any curling or missing shingles around these areas, because this creates spaces for vermin to enter.
Got Roofing Damages From Wind?
Don’t wait to repair those damages. Time is of the essence. Once you have documented the damage, it is time to call up roofers in Downingtown, PA who can help return your roof to normal. Even if you don’t find any visible damage but suspect that something is wrong with your roof, you should contact a local contractor for a professional inspection. You might have to contact your insurance provider to check if a claim needs to be filed, depending on the severity and extent of the damage. From there, it is all about applying the fixes.
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