Checking Your Roof for Wind Damage

Tragically, Hurricane Katrina destroyed over 800,000 homes in 2005.

While we are fortunate that hurricanes such as Katrina come along only every few decades, far less powerful storms can damage your home.

Even a light storm could leave your roofing damaged and exposed to water entry.

If you are concerned about wind damage and are wondering what you can do about it, learn how to detect wind damage to your home with this handy guide.

Damage to Shingles

After a storm, there will no doubt be some initial checks that you will want to carry out. Amongst these should be the condition of your shingles.

Wind can erode the grain of your shingles, which can significantly damage them over time. If you want to know if your shingles are eroding, check the guttering to see if any of the sediment has rested there.

Peeling Shingles

The edge of your house will likely take the worst of the storm. Look closely at the shingles at the edge of the roof to see whether the wind has started to raise them up.

This curling of shingles can be a subtle, but still a serious problem. If they are raised up enough, water and other material can get inside your roof.

Missing Shingles

If the wind has been particularly severe, you might notice that you have lost shingles entirely. If this is the case, you should call a professional for a full assessment of other damage that may have occurred.

Damage to Flat Roof

Many flat roofs are made from rubberized materials. This means that in a severe windstorm, the wind can get underneath it and rip away large areas of the flat roof. Remedying this sooner rather than later can save you significant money.

Soffit or Fascia

The purpose of the soffit and fascia boards is to keep water away from the internal areas of the roof. However, when they are damaged in a storm, they can let more than water in.

Damaged soffit and fascia boards are an entry point for bugs. Keep them out by repairing it as soon as possible.

Broken Chimney Seal

If you have a chimney it is good to assess whether it has suffered damage in the storm. More accurately, is it looking a little more crooked than before the storm?

A leaning chimney could lead to damage to the sealant around the chimney. If you see your chimney leaning, you should arrange to take a closer look.

Water Entry

If you want to thoroughly check your roof, you should also take a look at its inside sections. Small cracks in sealant may have developed that are allowing eater into your roof space.

This could lead to the development of mold. Check your roof space for discoloration and remedy mold or other water damage quickly.

Detecting Wind Damage and Much More

If you live in a location with frequent or abnormally strong winds, you should regularly check for wind damage. Detecting it early could give you the opportunity to repair it cheaply and with little invasive work.

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect your roof and ensure its longevity, then we are here to help. We leverage our years in the construction and maintenance industry to provide premium services and advice.

If you would like to know simply check out our blog articles or contact us.