5 Signs of Wind Damage On Your Roof
Roofs are built to stand up to inclement weather conditions, but sometimes, a particularly strong storm can cause wind damage to the best of roofs. When high-speed winds accompany the storm, the damage can be significant. You may be wondering “What does wind damage look like on a roof?” Thankfully, there are signs you can look for to help you know if your roof has wind damage.Here are 5 signs of wind damage you can look for on your roof:
1. Missing Shingles
Missing shingles are one of the most obvious signs of wind damage, and they are usually visible from the ground. If wind speeds are high enough, they can lift the shingles and cause them to detach from the roof, leaving parts of the underlayment exposed and unprotected. This is bad news for your roof because shingles are the barrier between inclement weather and your home. If you notice shingles missing from your roof after a windstorm, schedule a roof inspection as soon as possible. A professional roofing company will be able to assess the damage and make a plan to fix your roof as soon as possible. Sometimes a simple roof repair could be the fix by just reattaching the missing shingles!
2. Lifted or Curled Shingles
Just because you don’t see any shingles missing doesn’t mean your roof is damage-free. In some cases, wind storms can catch the edges of shingles and cause them to lift or curl upward. In some cases, this can break the adhesive seal that provides a watertight surface. According to Owens Corning, the leading roofing material manufacturer, this damage can be hard to see.
If you notice the edges of any shingles look curled or are lifting up from the rest of the roof, it may be a good idea to schedule a professional roof inspection to have them checked out. Roof damage can be sneaky, and if it’s not fixed quickly, it can expand into a massive problem that requires a total roof replacement. Proactively having your shingles checked could save you time and money down the road.
Consider scheduling a roof tune-up every three to five years to extend the life of your roof.
3. Missing Granules
Granules are small pieces of crushed stone and minerals that coat asphalt shingles. These granules provide a layer of protection for your roof. As roofs reach the end of their lifespan, the granules begin to shed and leave the roof unprotected from sun and impact. Sometimes, wind storms can blow these granules off of your shingles prematurely.
When this happens, they tend to pool in the gutters. While a few granules here and there is not a reason to worry, if you notice a significant collection of granules in your gutter, you may have a wind-damaged roof.
4. Soffit and Fascia Damage
Your soffit and fascia are great places to check in your search for wind damage. The fascia is the visible board that sits against the roofline, and the soffit is the underside of a roof that extends past the house’s exterior walls.Both the fascia and the soffit keep water from entering your roofing system, and both are susceptible to wind damage. Intense wind storms can cause cracks, bends, or loosening of these pieces, which can open your roof up to water damage in the future. If you notice damage to the edge of your roof, call a professional roofing company to inspect further.
5. Gutter Damage
Finally, make sure to check your gutters for wind damage. Gutters play a crucial role in keeping your roof dry and functioning well. They are also a great indicator that a storm was strong enough to cause damage, which can prompt you to investigate the rest of your roof further. While most gutters can stand up to high winds pretty well, sometimes debris can be picked up by the wind and hit your gutters. This can dent them or cause them to pull away from the roof edge. If you notice gutter damage after a storm, make sure to act fast and get them repaired before the next storm comes through.
Wind storms can leave a lasting impact on your roof. If you notice missing, curling, or lifted shingles, pieces of granules in your gutters, or see visible damage to your soffit, fascia, or gutters, your roof may have suffered wind damage in a recent storm. Thankfully, most wind damage is repairable, and if it’s caught early, it can be a quick, easy solution. The easiest way to know for sure your roof has storm damage is to schedule a professional roof inspection with a roofing company you trust. If you’re looking for a roofing company in the Central Virginia area, Cenvar Roofing would be happy to serve you!
Schedule your free estimate today to get the process started.
