As roofs age, they lose their ability to resist extreme weather conditions. When this happens, even a typical storm with some wind can result in damage. Strong winds can also wear down your roof over time. Not only do winds carry debris that can impact roofs, but they can also be strong enough to rip out weak shingles. Here’s what type of wind damage to look out for and what to do to protect your roof from significant repair costs.
Types of Roof Damage from Wind
Wind damage can come from a normal thunderstorm or happen during a tropical storm, hurricane, or tornado. Sometimes there may also be high-wind advisories in which there isn’t even rain but just strong gusts outside. All acts of nature can cause wind damage to a vulnerable roof. These are the most common types of wind damage to look out for:
- Missing shingles: This leads to exposed insulation and subroofing. It’s easy to spot because you will see an area that is missing obvious roofing material.
- Leaks and water damage: Exposed areas can let in rain and ambient moisture which results in wood rot, mold, and mildew. You may also start to see water spots forming on your ceiling, indicating roof leaks.
- Pest invasion: If you leave a part of your roof exposed for too long, pests like squirrels can enter your attic and start to make a nice home there. Insects like wasps can also make hives. To stop this from happening, close the breach as soon as possible.
Though new roofs can last a long time after some affordable patchwork to replace any missing shingles, older roofs need to be reinforced soon. The structural integrity of an older roof is still at risk until you update it with stronger materials.
Where to Check for Wind Damage
The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) advises that homeowners check the roof’s edges first for damage. This is where most wind damage starts. Roofing materials are the loosest at the edges as they age. In this case, wind can get caught underneath and push the shingles off from below. Consider it a similar effect to how winds in a sail push a boat forward. Depending on the type of shingles you have, this can result in a domino effect of shingle pulling. If you don’t attend to the problem early, the damage will only compound over time. To avoid this type of damage, ask your roofer to reinforce the corners of your roof so they can be strong enough to withstand high winds.
Also, you should check the sides of your home and other areas of the roof for impact damage due to flying debris. Some objects like pieces of furniture and branches can also be left on your roof after a storm, which can cause problems if they remain there. Gutters and downspouts can also be clogged by random wind debris, affecting their performance and your home’s structural integrity. Other places to check just for peace of mind is your chimney, flashing, and soffit/fascia boards.
Though missing shingles are the most obvious sign of wind damage, other effects like curling, splitting, cracks, tears, buckling, and crumbling in any of your roofing components should be reported to a trusted roofer. If your insurance policy also covers incidentals due to natural storms, you may also get the costs of repairs reimbursed. To make a claim for wind damage repairs, have a professional roofer inspect the damage and make a formal report about the source of the damage. This will bolster your claim and maximize the chance of having your claim honored by your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Trust Your Roof Replacement to Noble Roofing
Whether you’re looking for better form or function, or simply feel that a new roof is in order, trust Noble Roofing, the preferred choice for roof replacement in Centreville, VA and surrounding cities. Give us a call at (703) 404-0505 to speak with our roofing experts. You can also request a free estimate through our online request form today.
Recently experience a bad Storm Damage? Sometimes a Roof Repair is all you need!