There’s nothing quite like hearing a raging storm outside while you’re curled up safe on the couch with a cup of tea and a new episode of your favorite show. The reason you’re able to do this, though, is because of the protection that your home and roof provides.
That being said, your roof is likely not having as good of a time as you are on stormy days. In fact, wind damage to roof structures can be significant, and it can even lead to further damage and problems in the future if you don’t have it repaired.
In this post, we’re going to look at what types of damage you could expect from high winds and what this damage can do if left unfixed.
1. Branches, Rocks, and Other Debris
High winds and storms cause debris like sticks, branches, rocks, and even entire trees to become loose and be thrown around in the air. Many homeowners find that after storms their roofs are riddled with debris.
In the worst cases, entire trees can fall onto your roof and cause serious and dangerous damage.
Oftentimes it is this debris that can cause more damage than the wind storm on its own. The flying branches and other debris can lead to dents, pockmarks, scratches, and cracks in the roof. Larger debris can even crash through or puncture the roof, shingles, windows, and walls of the home.
To make matters worse, this type of damage can expose the roof and home to water damage from rain or snow. That’s why inspecting your roof after a storm is crucial in order to get started on repairs before the damage worsens.
2. Damaged and/or Missing Shingles
Both debris and the wind itself can lead to shingles becoming damaged or blowing off altogether.
Strong winds can cause shingles to year, crack, or curl at the edges. Even stronger winds can cause the shingle to rip off entirely. Depending on the severity of the storm and the damage to your shingles, you have two options: roof repair and roof replacement.
If the damage and missing shingles are concentrated in a certain area of the roof, a roof repair will likely be your best bet. But if you have widespread damage and are missing shingles all over the roof, you may need to consider a replacement.
Learn more about replacing shingles ASAP on our blog here.
3. Gutter Problems
Just like your shingles, your gutters are susceptible to the wind. High winds can easily cause sagging or bending of your gutters… which spells trouble for you and your roof. Damaged gutters can lead to serious water damage in both your home and your lawn, so you should fix this problem ASAP.
Wind can be especially damaging to gutters that are clogged or filled with water, ice, or snow. Debris, leaves, snow, and water cause the gutters to put on weight, making them more dangerous and damaging if they come loose or move thanks to strong winds.
Gutters filled with “stuff” can become heavy pieces of debris themselves that can lead to damage to your windows, walls, lawn, and, of course, the roof.
4. Lifting
You might weather the storm, go outside to look at the roof, and see no visible damage and think you got off scot-free.
However, wind can easily cause “lifting” to occur and you might not even notice. Lifting occurs when wind makes its way underneath your shingles and loosens them slightly from their adhesive, nails, and their overall connection to the roof.
This results in a few serious issues. First of all, this is a recipe for roof leaks. Once the shingles become lifted, the seal between the outside world and the roof is broken, which allows water to enter and leak into the home.
Lifted shingles can also more easily fly or fall off when the next storm hits. So even if you think your roof looks fine after a big storm, it’s worth it to check a bit closer or have it inspected by a professional to take care of any lifted shingles or other issues that occurred.
Fix Any Wind Damage to Roof ASAP
Many of these damages caused by winds can be fixed with a simple roof repair. However, wind damage to roof materials and structures should still be taken seriously as failing to fix these problems can lead to even more serious and costly damage in the long run.
If you were just hit with a storm, we can help. We’ll inspect your roof to let you know what you’re dealing with and we’ll also give you our expert recommendations on what your next steps should be.
Contact us to set up an appointment.