What are the signs of wind damage on a roof?
Strong winds can cause missing shingles, granule loss, impact marks, or even interior leaks. Learn how to identify wind roof damage and what to do next.
Know the Signs of Roof Wind Damage
While hail may capture most of the headlines, homeowners in San Antonio know very well that strong winds are another hallmark of our severe storm season. Wind damage can be devastating for your roof—and it’s important to learn the signs of wind damage to prevent long-term problems such as roof leaks.
To help homeowners respond quickly to roof wind damage, Dolan Roofing & Construction is sharing some key signs to watch for—and what you should do if your roof was damaged by strong winds or gusts.
Signs of Wind-Damaged Shingles
Asphalt shingles are designed to protect your home, but they can be vulnerable to high winds. Here are some of the signs of wind-damaged shingles you may be able to identify yourself:
Missing or Loose Shingles
Missing shingles are a telltale sign of severe wind damage. In severe cases, high winds will tear shingles away from your roof, leaving the underlying sections exposed to the elements.
Shingles may also be loosened, even if they aren’t torn away entirely. Look for shingles that appear to be crooked or flapping in the wind.
Dents in Shingles or Dark Spots
Wind can also damage your roof by flinging debris against it at high velocity. When this happens, it can leave dings, dents, and cracks in shingles that compromise the integrity of your roof. Look for marks on your shingles that clearly indicate impact damage.
Granule Loss
High winds can also wear away at the protective outer layer of your shingles, leaving your roof more vulnerable. You can look for this sign of damage by checking gutters, downspouts, and the ground near your roofline for excessive amounts of asphalt granules.
Other Signs of Roof Wind Damage
Aside from checking your shingles, you can also complete a visual inspection of other parts of your home. Some signs of wind damage not located on your roof include:
Dents in Siding or Fascia
If high winds kicked up damaging debris, you may see dents, divots, and other damage on different parts of your home’s exterior, such as siding, metal fascia and gutters, or your deck. If these portions of your home were damaged by wind, there’s a strong chance your roof was as well.
Crooked Chimney
For many homes, the chimney is the highest point. It’s also the most directly exposed to high winds, as there’s nothing to protect it from the full force of strong gusts. This can sometimes lead to high winds damaging your chimney or other things on your roof, such as antennas or vents.
If you notice that your chimney is crooked, this is a sign that your roof was exposed to extremely high winds—and if those winds were strong enough to damage your chimney, they were definitely strong enough to damage your roof.
Leaks or Indoor Signs
In some cases, wind can damage your roof so significantly that it leaves your roof vulnerable to moisture intrusion and other problems.
Check the interior of your home as you look for storm damage. If you notice leaks, wet spots, or other interior warning signs, it may indicate your roof was damaged by wind—and it’s definitely reason to contact a roofer immediately.
Will Insurance Pay for Wind Damage to a Roof?
In general, homeowners’ insurance should cover many types of storm damage to your roof, including wind damage. However, the insurance company will need to verify that the damage was caused by a sudden event and not simply wear and tear.
Insurance-eligible damage usually results from a sudden, identifiable event that leaves visible signs such as debris patterns, broken materials, or fresh damage. In contrast, wear and tear develops gradually over time due to aging, poor maintenance, or exposure to the elements.
Proper documentation and timely inspections after a storm can help validate a legitimate claim.
What to Do If You Have Wind Damage
Once you’ve identified signs of roof wind damage—or even if you’re unsure if your roof and shingles were damaged—you may be wondering what to do next. Here are a few steps we recommend taking.
1. Schedule a Roof Inspection
The best next step after a major storm is to schedule an inspection from a trained roofer to assess the full extent of damage to your roof. Even if you don’t see signs of damage, a roof inspection will provide a clear assessment of the state of your roof, including any wind damage or other potential vulnerabilities.
2. File an Insurance Claim
A roof inspection will also help to determine whether filing an insurance claim will be necessary. If damage is significant enough, it’s important to file your insurance claim promptly.
While providers vary, most have a specific window of time in which a claim must be filed. If you miss the window to file a claim for wind damage to your roof, you may wind up paying for repairs entirely out of pocket.
3. Complete Repairs Right Away
No matter how major or minor the damage is to your roof, it’s important to schedule roof repairs immediately. Leaving any amount of roof damage unaddressed is a poor decision, as this leaves your roof vulnerable to further damage.
Roofing issues also tend to compound over time—which means failing to complete a minor repair now could lead to major (and expensive) roofing problems down the line.
Preparing for Wind Storms
While high winds are unavoidable, there are still steps you can take to better protect your home against wind damage. Here are a few ways to plan ahead and avoid wind-damaged shingles on your home.
Make Sure You’re Covered for Wind Damage
First, it’s very important to know your insurance coverage—and, if you live in a wind-prone area, to make sure you’re covered for wind damage. While wind damage is typically included with most homeowners’ insurance, every policy is different in terms of the specific requirements and the type of payment you may receive after your home is damaged.
Make sure you know the details of your policy, and contact your provider if you have any questions.
Use Wind-Resistant Roofing Materials
Depending on the type of roof you have, you may be able to upgrade to a more wind-resistant roofing material. For those who prefer shingle roofs, there are highly resistant products that are unlikely to be damaged by wind, such as the Duration series of shingles from Owens Corning.
You may also want to consider replacing your shingles entirely with another roofing material. Both tile roofs and metal roofs provide exceptional durability against not just wind, but all forms of damage—and these roofs can last for decades longer than shingles, as well.
Schedule a Wind Damage Roof Inspection Today!
While there are many signs of roof wind damage you can spot yourself, there’s no substitute for a thorough inspection from a professional roofer.
At Dolan Roofing & Construction, we’re always on alert throughout the storm season to provide expert inspections and roof repairs following wind, hail, and other storm damage threats. If you were in the path of a recent major storm, it’s crucial to schedule a roof inspection sooner rather than later. Contact us today to get started!
