After a significant storm, we’re all likely to celebrate clear skies and warm sunshine, but very few of us consider the potential wind damage caused. The most often missed signs of damage are the ones incurred by your roof from hail or strong winds. Your roof can have simple dings from the storm to more severe damage such as missing shingles or loosened asphalt shingles.
Older roofing is especially at risk for storm damage, which is why if you ever suspect even a small amount of damage from severe thunderstorms, give us a call! We are roofing experts, and we can spot any amount of damage to your roof that can ensure proper insurance company coverage from your provider.
Wind Is More Damaging Than Homeowners Believe
When homeowners hear of wind storms, they often picture fallen or cracked tree limbs, loosened branches, swept up debris, or damaged power lines. What very few understand is that high winds can cause damage to a home- any home! Structural damage is very much a possibility with winds, and roofing damage is almost a given.
Even if your roof is taken care of or relatively new, winds can lift or loosen asphalt shingles. In some instances, if the winds are strong enough, entire sections of shingles may get ripped away. Of course, your roofing can suffer damage in other ways as well, such as fallen tree limbs or downed power lines.
Why Does Wind Damage Roofs?
Perhaps the most commonly asked question is, why do high winds damage perfectly stable roofs? As winds never hit roofs with the same velocity from all angles, damage usually occurs from the rooftop’s edge. Near the edge is where high wind gusts have the most ability to cause damage by ripping up already loose shingles, often resulting in a chain reaction that can rip away entire sections of your rooftop. Falling objects such as tree branches, and flying debris may also cause further roof damage, and until the damage is remedied, you may find your roof leaking indoors and outdoors.
What Type Of Roofing Is Best For High Winds?
It is essential to install high-quality, sturdy decking underneath your shingles and use solid fasteners as this builds a better foundation. Of course, craftsmanship is also a significant part of durability, and metal roofing material is perhaps the best option to withstand high winds and other severe weather. Hire a professional roofing contractor to ensure
Wind Speeds: What Speeds Are The Most Damaging?
45-57 mph
winds can cause slight damage, but at these speeds, it is considered non-severe. These winds often cause minor tree damage and may further deteriorate already loose shingles.
58-74 mph
winds are considered severe, and this is when structural damage may occur. At these speeds, winds can fall trees, damage even new roofing materials, rip away entire sections, and cause chimney damage.
75+ mph
winds can flip mobile homes completely, uproot trees, and most importantly, even destroy industrial buildings.
How To Identify Roof Wind Damage
If your home has been subjected to at least 45mph wind speeds, it is important to give us a call and get a professional roofing contractor on your property. We will have your roof inspected and look for common signs of damage which can include curled or peeling shingles, loose or missing shingles, chimney damage, granule loss, or indoor leaks. Don’t let wind damages get worse, contact a roofing contractor to inspect roof wind damage after a severe storm.
Quick Guide To Identifying Roof Damage
Granule Loss
High winds can cause granule loss on asphalt shingles, which are the tiny sandpaper-like grains found on the surface. Your gutters are usually the best place to identify granule loss, as this is often where they’ll get swept.
Edge Damage
The pressure points and edges of your roof are highly susceptible to wind damage. For this reason, we will always carefully inspect and look for signs of curling, which means that the winds started to tear up your shingles partially. The purpose of your shingles is to protect your home against water damage, but loose shingles will not provide an adequate barrier against the elements.
Shingles Are Missing
Perhaps the most common and apparent signs of a vulnerable roof are missing shingles. Whether a few pieces or entire sections, you need to have a professional take a look! It is easy to spot this kind of damage as the shingles are often thrown around your property and land near your house. You can also visually see where shingles have been ripped away.
Flat Rubber Roof Damage
Flat rubber roofs work a bit differently, but they can develop tears or missing pieces from high winds. The strong winds can also lift the material away from the surface or leave behind bubbles that compromise integrity.
Fascia Or Soffit Damage
The fascia and soffit found on your roof are also responsible for keeping out the elements. It can also suffer wind damage in the form of cracks, bent or loose sections. When these two items are damaged in any way, it can open up your home to leaks as well as stray woodland critters.
Chimney Problems
Winds don’t just damage your roofing materials, but your chimney as well. If your chimney is visibly crooked, this often points to a problem with the lashing, which could result in leaking water around your chimney entering your home.
Indoor Roof Damage
When most people talk about roof damage, they automatically look outside, but the fact is that you can find symptoms of the damage indoors, too. Check your walls for telltale signs such as water damage, discoloration, and cracked or peeling paint. This is a serious sign that your roof needs professional repair right away!
How Damaged Roofs Are Repaired
If high winds have damaged your roof, it is important to know not to panic and call us right away for our professional inspection by a trained professional roofing contractor! We will assess the extent of the damage, and whenever possible, repair only the smaller sections that have been affected. However, if there is widespread damage from damaging winds, you will need to explore the option of getting a new roof installed. Bear in mind, the longer you wait to call us and get an assessment, the more damage your home may incur.
Wind Damage And Potential For Insurance Coverage
Many homeowners rightly want to know if their roof damage incurred by high winds is covered by their homeowners insurance policy. It is important that you carefully read over your policy coverage to double check if your damage is covered. If it is, we can help you submit the necessary paperwork for reimbursement!
Located in Sterling, VA, Ridgeline Roofers can help you take the guesswork out of roof repair. Using our drone, we can give you a complete and accurate assessment of the damage while also talking about solutions to your problem. From coming up with an affordable game plan to educating you about how your roof was damaged, we hope to help you every step of the way!
Should you choose to file an insurance claim with your provider, you will have plenty of information and paperwork to aid your case. Roof repair isn’t something you should ever put off because the structural integrity of your home may get compromised during the wait. Call us today for a free consultation and get the help you need with repairing or installing a new roof!
After a significant storm, we’re all likely to celebrate clear skies and warm sunshine, but very few of us consider the potential damage caused. The most often missed signs of damage are the ones incurred by your roof from hail or high winds. Your roof can have simple dings from the storm to more severe problems such as missing or loosened asphalt shingles.
Older roofing is especially at risk for storm damage, which is why if you ever suspect even a small amount of damage, give us a call! We are roofing experts, and we can spot any amount of damage to your roof that can ensure proper insurance coverage from your provider.
Wind Is More Damaging Than Homeowners Believe
When homeowners hear of wind storms, they often picture fallen or cracked tree limbs, loosened branches, swept up debris, or damaged power lines. What very few understand is that high winds can cause damage to a home- any home! Structural damage is very much a possibility with winds, and roofing damage is almost a given.
Even if your roof is taken care of or relatively new, winds can lift or loosen asphalt shingles. In some instances, if the winds are strong enough, entire sections of shingles may get ripped away. Of course, your roofing can suffer damage in other ways as well, such as fallen tree limbs or downed power lines.
Why Does Wind Damage Roofs?
Perhaps the most commonly asked question is, why do high winds damage perfectly stable roofs? As winds never hit roofs with the same velocity from all angles, damage usually occurs from the rooftop’s edge. Near the edge is where high winds have the most ability to cause damage by ripping up already loose shingles, often resulting in a chain reaction that can rip away entire sections of your rooftop. Falling objects may also cause further damage, and until the damage is remedied, you may find your roof leaking indoors and outdoors.
What Type Of Roofing Is Best For High Winds?
It is essential to install high-quality, sturdy decking underneath your shingles and use solid fasteners as this builds a better foundation. Of course, craftsmanship is also a significant part of durability, and metal roofing is perhaps the best option to withstand 150mph winds or more.
Wind Speeds: What Speeds Are The Most Damaging?
45-57 mph
winds can cause slight damage, but at these speeds, it is considered non-severe. These winds often cause minor tree damage and may further deteriorate already loose shingles.
58-74 mph
winds are considered severe, and this is when structural damage may occur. At these speeds, winds can fall trees, damage even new roofing materials, rip away entire sections, and cause chimney damage.
75+ mph
winds can flip mobile homes completely, uproot trees, and most importantly, even destroy industrial buildings.
How To Identify Roof Wind Damage
If your home has been subjected to at least 45mph winds, it is important to give us a call and get a professional eye on your property. We will assess your roof and look for common signs of damage which can include curled or peeling shingles, missing or loose shingles, chimney damage, granule loss, or indoor leaks.
Quick Guide To Identifying Roof Damage
Granule Loss
High winds can cause granule loss on asphalt shingles, which are the tiny sandpaper-like grains found on the surface. Your gutters are usually the best place to identify granule loss, as this is often where they’ll get swept.
Edge Damage
The pressure points and edges of your roof are highly susceptible to wind damage. For this reason, we will always carefully inspect and look for signs of curling, which means that the winds started to tear up your shingles partially. The purpose of your shingles is to protect your home against water damage, but loose shingles will not provide an adequate barrier against the elements.
Shingles Are Missing
Perhaps the most common and apparent signs of a vulnerable roof are missing shingles. Whether a few pieces or entire sections, you need to have a professional take a look! It is easy to spot this kind of damage as the shingles are often thrown around your property and land near your house. You can also visually see where shingles have been ripped away.
Flat Rubber Roof Damage
Flat rubber roofs work a bit differently, but they can develop tears or missing pieces from high winds. The wind can also lift the material away from the surface or leave behind bubbles that compromise integrity.
Fascia Or Soffit Damage
The fascia and soffit found on your roof are also responsible for keeping out the elements. It can also suffer wind damage in the form of cracks, bent or loose sections. When these two items are damaged in any way, it can open up your home to leaks as well as stray woodland critters.
Chimney Problems
Winds don’t just damage your roofing materials, but your chimney as well. If your chimney is visibly crooked, this often points to a problem with the lashing, which could result in leaking water around your chimney entering your home.
Indoor Roof Damage
When most people talk about roof damage, they automatically look outside, but the fact is that you can find symptoms of the damage indoors, too. Check your walls for telltale signs such as water damage, discoloration, and cracked or peeling paint. This is a serious sign that your roof needs professional repair right away!
How Damaged Roofs Are Repaired
If high winds have damaged your roof, it is important to know not to panic and call us right away! We will assess the extent of the damage, and whenever possible, repair only the smaller sections that have been affected. However, if there is extensive damage, you will need to explore the option of getting a new roof installed. Bear in mind, the longer you wait to call us and get an assessment, the more damage your home may incur.
Wind Damage And Potential For Insurance Coverage
Many homeowners rightly want to know if their roof damage incurred by high winds is covered by their homeowners insurance policy. It is important that you carefully read over your policy coverage to double check if your damage is covered. If it is, we can help you submit the necessary paperwork for reimbursement!
Located in Sterling, VA, Ridgeline Roofers can help you take the guesswork out of roof repair. Using our drone, we can give you a complete and accurate assessment of the damage while also talking about solutions to your problem. From coming up with an affordable game plan to educating you about how your roof was damaged, we hope to help you every step of the way!
Should you choose to file an insurance claim with your provider, you will have plenty of information and paperwork to aid your case. Roof repair isn’t something you should ever put off because the structural integrity of your home may get compromised during the wait. Call us today for a free consultation and get the help you need with repairing or installing a new roof!