4 Signs Your Roof Has Suffered Wind Damage

Severe thunderstorms and other weather events can bring with them a host of issues, including:

• Power outages and downed power lines
• Hazardous and impassable road conditions
• Damage to public and personal property

With dozens of major severe storm events documented in the Southeast Climate Region in the last five years alone, these aren’t isolated incidents. As a homeowner, you need to be prepared to take action before and after a major weather event.

Strong winds are a frequent example of one such weather event. While it may seem like windstorms are minor compared to the other kinds of events that can occur, wind damage to your roof can lead to water leaks and other issues when left unresolved.

While a qualified roofing contractor can help you fix any roof damage you find as a result of strong winds, you first have to discover the issue. How do you do that? Keep an eye out for these four signs that you have wind damage on your roof.

1. Shingle Issues

Damaged shingles are the most common roof issues caused by windstorms. Any of the following could happen to your roof:

• Lifted or loose shingles: During a windstorm, shingles may be worked loose from their place and left to blow loose in the wind. After the storm dies down, they may or may not lie back down. Either way, when you look at your roof, these loose shingles will look out of place; the alignment of your rows of shingles will look off.
• Missing shingles: Sometimes, the winds are so strong that they may tear your shingles completely off of your roof. These wind-damaged shingles can end up on other parts of your roof or gutters, in your yard, or even in a neighbor’s yard! If you see any bare spots on your roof, it’s a sure sign that you need shingle repair from a professional.
• Peeling and curling shingles: While the wind may not always tear your shingles completely off your roof, it can still lift the edges of many of your shingles, particularly at stress points and seams on your roof. These curled shingles leave your roof deck vulnerable to moisture and damage.
• Granule loss: If granule loss is occurring on your roof, you’ll probably first notice it when these granules wash down your gutters and downspouts. On your roof, you’ll see dark lines or spots where the granules have worn away from your shingles. These granules give your shingles waterproofing and other protection from the elements, so without them, your roof is in serious trouble.
• Shingle bruising: This kind of shingle damage is most commonly associated with hail storms, but it can also occur during a wind event. If the wind blew an object into your roof with any amount of force, it may have bruised your shingles, effectively ending their usability for your roof. These bruises will look like dark spots on your shingles.

You might notice any of these signs of roof damage right away during the storm. Even if you don’t, it’s worth getting a professional roof inspection after the fact to ensure that there are no shingle issues with your roof.

2. Soffit, Fascia, and Gutter Damage

The top of your roof isn’t the only part of your home vulnerable to wind damage; other roofing materials can also become damaged after wind storms.

Your soffits and fascia connect your roof to the exterior wall of your home. They enclose your roofline to protect you from damp rafters and pest infestations, and soffits can also provide ventilation for your attic.

Most soffits and fascia are graded to hold up against high winds, but if any of the pieces were loose before the storm, they might get caught and slightly torn away from the edges of your roof. Without repair, you’ll end up with leaky seams around your roof that can allow moisture, pests, and non-temperature-controlled air into your attic and home.

Loose gutters are also an issue. Without these pieces of piping, water will run down your exterior siding and eventually lead to mold in your walls.

3. Leaks Inside Your Home

The primary concern with any sort of structural damage to your roof is that it will eventually lead to water damage inside your home. Anywhere the roofing material no longer exists is a major risk point for water to get through the roof layers and into your home.

All of the following are indicators that you have a leak somewhere on your roof:

• Wet spots on your walls or ceilings
• Discoloration on your walls or ceilings, particularly yellow or brown spots
• Peeling paint or wallpaper
• Foul odor inside your home with no apparent source (this is a sign that there could be mold inside your walls)
• Active drips or leaks

4. Debris on Your Roof

With high wind speeds, tree branches, loose outdoor furniture, and other flying debris can appear in some pretty strange places. If any of these approach your roof, they can wreak major havoc before you know it.

If any debris ended up on your roof at any point in the storm, you need to get your roof inspected by a roofing contractor. Even if you pull the debris away and don’t see any signs of visible damage, these objects could have caused deep damage invisible to the naked eye. Only a roofing professional will be able to tell you whether your roof is still able to perform up to standard.

Take Care of Wind Damage to Your Roof

Left untreated, wind damage to your roof can cause serious complications, leaving you vulnerable to leaks, pests, and other serious issues. For necessary repairs, working with a skilled roofing contractor is the best choice to ensure that you fully resolve all your roof wind damage.

That’s where we come in. As some of Charlotte’s premier storm damage experts, we have everything we need to thoroughly assess and document your roof’s damage, create a detailed action plan for your roof repair, and get your roof back into excellent condition.

Ready to schedule your free inspection? Reach out to us now!