As a wind storm passes over your area, bringing with it damaging wind speeds of up to 60 mph, you start to wonder about the impact it could have on your home. As you check your property following the storm, you may find strewn debris on the ground like broken shingles. Looking at your home, you may notice that your gutters are cracked or flashing is dented.
Identifying Wind Damage On A Roof
These and other red flags could indicate the need for roof repair. If your area recently suffered a wind storm, it is important to understand what signs to look for and the importance of speedy repair. Failure to undergo roof repair could result in a range of consequences, such as leaks, mold growth, wood rot, and similar problems.
Roof Leaks
Your roof is supposed to protect your home from the elements. However, damage from harsh winds can result in roof leaks. If your roof succumbs to damage, water can seep into cracks, gaps, or holes in the roof. As water steadily infiltrates the layers of your roof, you may start to notice wet spots on the ceiling or walls.
If the flow becomes heavier, water may even start to pour inside your attic or the upper floors of your home. Roof leaks, no matter how minor, require immediate attention to prevent the problem from becoming more costly to fix. Leaks do not just cause moisture issues like wood rot and mold growth, but it can also ruin the belongings inside your home and put your family at risk for respiratory illnesses caused by poor air conditions.
Lifting Shingles
One of the most common types of wind damage sustained by roofs is lifted shingles. When wind is able to get underneath a shingle and push it up, it can cause the shingle to break apart or even pull away from the roof completely. Lifted shingles are often easy to spot as they stand apart from the rest of the roof.
It is important to have lifted shingles repaired promptly as water is able to seep into the underlying roofing layers when shingles are lifted or missing. In some cases, lifted shingles will settle back into position after the storm is over. However, problems may still exist that you cannot see from the ground. For example, the nails holding down the shingles may have loosened or the seal holding the shingles together may have broken.
Curling Shingles
Curling shingles occur when asphalt shingles curl at the edges of the shingle tab, often starting at the lower end or at the two sides of the shingle tab. This differs from “cupped” shingles which occur when the center of the shingle becomes depressed or concave, causing the tile to form a cup appearance. Sometimes curling and cupping can occur at the same time.
High winds can put undue pressure on your roofing shingles, causing them to curl upwards. Tree branches and other debris flying in the wind can also hit the shingles, causing similar types of damage. While curling may just affect a few shingles, it more commonly affects most or all the shingles at the same time. If curling is present and impacts the majority of a roof, the shingles will likely need to be replaced.
Missing Shingles
What does wind damage look like on a roof? It typically appears with missing shingles. While shingles are installed using nails to ensure that they will stay put, high wind speeds can cause them to loosen and eventually fall off your roof. Depending on the length of the storm, you may be missing just a few shingles. In some instances, the damage can be more substantial and a large area of roofing shingles may be missing.
In many cases, if you see a missing shingle it is usually just one tab of a 3-tab shingle. Strong gusts of wind can cause the shingle tab to tear apart from the rest of the roof. Oftentimes, the missing section of shingle will sit just above an open seam. As 3-tab shingles are installed side-by-side, shingles installed next to seams are more likely to blow off during a windstorm.
Granules in Gutters
The granules you find on roofing shingles have several purposes. First, they are used to protect the asphalt coating from UV rays. Next, they provide fire resistance in the event of a house fire. Finally, they can add aesthetic beauty as granules can be found in numerous colors. Following a windstorm, you may find your gutters full of granules from your asphalt shingles.
While it is normal to lose some granules over time due to age, losing a large amount at once can be concerning. As granules help keep your roof and home free from damage, it is important to address this issue right away. If granules are missing from a majority of your roof, you may be due for a roof replacement.
Damaged Flashing
Roofing flashing is an essential roofing component used to prevent leaks between the joints in the roof. High winds and flying debris can cause flashing to tear or buckling to occur around roof penetrations. It may be clear that your flashing has suffered damage if it appears to be loose or has visible dents.
If damage to flashing is left unchecked, you may notice more problems later on. As flashing is designed to keep water out, any damage to your roof’s flashing could result in a leak. While leaks may be minimal at first, the problem can grow larger over time resulting in more noticeable and costly damage.
Contact A Roof Repair Contractor
If your home has ever been through a major windstorm, you know just how much damage Mother Nature can do. As it is not always easy to determine the extent of damage simply by looking at the roof, it is important to contact a professional to inspect your roof. If your roof shows signs of damage or if you are not sure if your roof has suffered damage following a storm, contact the roof repair contractors at Beyond Exteriors to schedule a consultation.