When severe weather rolls through, high winds can inflict serious damage on residential and commercial roofs. That’s why, when the storm is over and the sky is clear, it’s critical that you visually inspect your roof for signs of wind damage.
If your area recently had a severe weather event, keep an eye out for the following common signs of wind damage. If you notice anything out of the ordinary as you give your roof and attic a once-over, contact a roofing contractor right away to schedule a comprehensive roof inspection. The quicker you act, the lower your likelihood of dealing with more serious roof problems down the road.
1. Damaged or Lifted Shingles
If your shingles suffered damage caused by heavy winds, the damage may or may not be visible from the ground. Don’t risk your safety by climbing onto your roof to get a closer look. Leave that job to a professional roofing contractor who has the appropriate safety equipment to perform a thorough inspection.
Depending on how serious the wind damage to your roof is, you may notice that some of your shingles are missing. You may also be able to detect one or more of the following signs of shingle damage:
- Lifting. If you have asphalt shingles, you may notice the edges of the shingles no longer make full contact with the surface of the roof.
- Warping. When your shingles are warping, they’ll appear wavy when you look at them. Warping is typically the result of water damage, but since high winds and heavy rains usually go hand in hand, you may notice warped shingles after your roof has endured multiple bouts of severe weather.
- Curling. If you can see the edges of your shingles beginning to curl, you may have a problem on your hands. Curling shingles can allow water to seep beneath the surface of your roof, which can intensify wind-related roof damage.
- Granule loss. After a bout of heavy wind, you may be able to see that some of the granules on your asphalt shingles are missing. If granule loss is visible from the ground, there may be more extensive roof damage underneath.
2. Considerable Debris on the Roof
If you can see tree branches, trash, or any other type of debris on your roof after a windy storm, you may have some degree of roof damage on your hands. Flying debris can easily damage shingles, soffit, fascia, and gutters, so you’ll need to take a closer look at these roof components to determine if there are any issues you should be concerned about.
If you see a significant amount of debris on your roof after a storm, it may be in your best interest to schedule a professional roof inspection. An experienced roofing contractor can detect minor forms of damage that the average homeowner may not even realize are present.
3. Damaged Roof Flashings
Roof flashings are thin strips of metal that typically sit in the center of roof junctions (roof valleys) and near protrusions, such as chimneys and dormers. In high winds, flying pieces of debris can dent these strips of metal, and depending on the age of your roof, severe winds may even cause the flashings to lift slightly.
If you’re performing a ground inspection of the roof, you may not be able to detect flashing damage on your own, but if you see anything unusual, call a roofing contractor. Flashings function to direct water away from vulnerable areas on your roof, so they must be fully intact and properly secured to protect the structure from water damage.
4. Shingle Granules in Your Gutters
Even if you can’t see damage on the surface of your roof, that doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Sometimes, wind-related roof damage isn’t severe enough to be detected from the ground, but even minor problems require prompt detection and correction if you want to keep your roof in optimal condition.
If you’re comfortable using a ladder, take a few minutes to peek inside your gutters to see if any shingle granules are sitting in the troughs. Check around the openings of your downspouts too, since heavy rains can easily wash loose granules out of the gutters and onto the ground.
5. Evidence of Leaks in Your Attic
Last but not least, take a few minutes to check for evidence of water in your attic. Sometimes, minor wind-related roof damage and leaks may not be visible from the outside, but you may be able to detect moisture from the inside.
If you notice water stains, dark marks, insulation damage, mold, or mildew in your attic, you’ve got some degree of water damage on your hands. Schedule a comprehensive inspection and roof repairs with a licensed roofing contractor at your earliest convenience.
The best thing you can do to maintain a high-quality roof is address the damage before it gets out of hand.
If you believe your roof was recently damaged in a storm, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Alpine Roofing Construction to schedule a roof inspection and repairs. Even minor wind damage to your roof can potentially give rise to more serious problems if it’s not repaired quickly. The faster you act, the better you can protect the structural components of your home. To learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, give us a call today at (214) 247-1698 (Dallas) or (817) 409-8974 (Fort Worth). You can also fill out our online contact form, and we’ll get back to you promptly.