Signs of Wind Damage on Your Roof
Wind damage is a problem for many roofs, especially if you live in an area where winds can reach 40+ mph. Things like severe thunderstorms (which account for half of all serious wind damage claims) can cause extreme harm to the integrity of your home’s infrastructure. This damage can create a host of additional problems that can cost a homeowner a lot of money in extra expenses down the road. There are some clear signs you should look for to make sure that your roofing is not compromised.
Curling
This is a problem that occurs at the edge of a roof, where the shingles are most vulnerable. Shingles will curl and start to pull up from their installed placements. This can be further exacerbated by situations where flashing has been removed, damaged, or not even installed. Over time, these rows of shingles can be lost entirely, setting up problems like leaks and loss of further rows and shingles.
Granules Missing
If large patches of granules on the shingles are missing, this may signify damage and a potential problem as well. Granules act as a rough protective layer for the shingle. If this layer is compromised, the bottom, sealant layers become exposed. This exposure makes damage to the sealant layer possible and likely. A way to check for missing granules is by looking in the gutters around your house, as they naturally collect in these outlets.
Shingles Missing
Missing shingles may be the most obvious damage to notice, as missing shingles tend to stand out in the patterned layout. If a shingle is missing, this creates an area where your roof is no longer protected and further damage to your roof can be expected over time from things like rain.
Cracks or Tears
Sometimes a shingle will crack or tear instead of being entirely removed by wind. This broken shingle can still be a gateway to leaking problems down the road. This fault may not stand out as much as shingles that are missing entirely, so a more scrutinizing look at the roofing may be required to determine whether any action is required.
Hail Damage
Hail can cause indentations in shingling, causing cracks. These cracks make the potential for further damage to your roofing very possible, if not likely. It can be very tough to spot any of the bruising that hail causes. If you are worried about hail damage, having a professional look at the potential scope and scale of any issues is a must.
Large Debris
Wind can dislodge and move very large debris. Things like branches from trees can cause serious damage to roofing by striking and being dragged across the surface. After serious wind storms, checking for some of the symptoms above can let you know whether any debris affected your roofing. Trimming your trees and removing flimsy debris around your house is a preemptive way to prevent such damage.
Interior Leaks
If you see any signs of leaks internally (such as water stains on your drywall), there may be damage to your roofing that is allowing water in. The signs and checks above are designed to keep this kind of damage from happening. If you do see signs of water damage, you should immediately have the roofing checked and, if necessary, replaced. Preventing further damage to the interior of the home is tantamount to avoiding large, unnecessary expenses.
All of these symptoms should be utilized to diagnose the state of your roofing. Faulty roofing can quickly create additional expenses and hassle from possible renovations. Mold, rot, and pests are just a few of the potential complications the interior of the home can face once the roofing is compromised. Check on the health of your roofing regularly to ensure you are not caught off guard by larger issues in the future.
Does My Home Insurance Cover Wind Damage?
Any questions about filing a claim for wind damage should be sent to your insurance directly. They should have the answers required to know if your roofing qualifies for their support. However, having the professional opinion of a contractor in advance on any roofing issues can make the process go faster and smoother. Taking pictures and videos of your roofing will also prove very helpful in expediting the process. There are some other tools such as public adjusters at your disposal if you require them as well.
Where Can I Find Roofing Services?
Roofing is a key layer of defense when protecting your home. If you live in an area with high-speed winds (40 mph or more) you are especially susceptible to the damages that come from breaks in roofing protection. Contact the professionals at Total Roofing & Service Inc. to get help with your commercial and residential roofing needs. We offer services such as inspections, quotes, and actual installations.