Being from Lubbock Texas, we understand how strong the wind can get. In the aftermath of weather like this, you should take the time to check up on your roof and make sure it does not have wind damage. Identifying problems earlier will allow you to fix them properly. So that one or two missing shingles today will not turn into leaking and water damage down the road.
What Should I Do if My Roof Has Been Damaged by Winds and Needs to Be Fixed?
If you happen to discover that your roof has been damaged by high winds, contact an experienced roofer. ABF Roofing & Foam will evaluate the damage and perform the required repairs. Remember, although a problem may look small now, it can cause long term harm if it is not addressed early. If you do not replace a missing roof vent, for example, that can create a weak spot. Weak spots are where water can sneak in and compromise your attic’s ventilation. Which could lead to condensation, premature wear-and-tear, and higher energy bills.
Wind-related damages will usually be covered by your insurance, but you’ll want to make sure you check the particulars of your specific policy to confirm. In addition to a more permanent fix. Insurance companies typically require homeowners to undertake emergency repairs to prevent further damage. We are pleased to assist you with the entire process.
As a warning, we would like to remind you to never allow a door-to-door roofer who shows up after a storm to go onto your roof. These “storm chasers” are often scam artists who might cause additional damage to your roof. They will then take the insurance money and do a shabby job with sub-par materials. Or worse, leave town altogether after they’ve pocketed your deposit.
How Can High Winds Damage My Roof?
Strong winds typically damage roofs in a couple of different ways. Either by the force of the wind itself or the debris it picks up, carries, and throws against your roof.
- If strong winds come across any weak spots. They will be quick to exploit them getting underneath shingles and often shredding them or lifting them right off. Roof corners and edges tend to be particularly vulnerable as they feel the brunt of the wind’s wrath.
- With airborne debris, damage can be moderate or nonexistent. If only small twigs and leaves are blown onto your roof, but larger objects like tree limbs or whole trees themselves can wreak expensive and significant mayhem.
What Do I Need to Look for?
First and foremost, take a walk around the outside of your home to carry out an exterior check-up:
- Examine your shingles. You’ll want to make sure that you have no loose, missing, cracked, dented, scratched, or marked in another way. You’ll need to replace any that are no longer there and take a closer look at those that show indication of damage. Such as, bruising, which might indicate that your shingles’ protective coating has been compromised.
- Keep an eye out for damage to your roof’s other components like ridge caps and vents, chimneys, skylights, soffits and fascia. Each component plays its own critical role in helping your roof perform its best. Which is why you want to make sure everything is in good condition especially after your home and roof has been hit by strong winds.
- Look for fallen tree limbs and other debris. Paying attention to things that both have fallen and are now resting on your roof. As well as things that could potentially fall like a branch that has been left hanging by a thread. You want to remove anything that has already made contact with your roof and attend to anything that may cause trouble at a later date. The rule of thumb with trees is that they should be cut back about six feet from your roof.
When it comes to outdoor inspections, make sure you keep your own safety top of mind. Always wait until after the wind has died down to take a walk around your home to reduce the risk that you may be hit by flying debris.
Second, perform an inspection inside your home:
In the days and weeks that follow a high wind event. Keep a watchful eye out for signs of water damage like stains on walls, ceilings, and evidence that your insulation or roof structure has been impaired.
We hope your roof and home made it through the high winds unharmed. For those homeowners who were not so lucky, call ABF Roofing & Foam. We are here to help you assess and fix any damages caused by windy, stormy weather so your roof is ready to stand up against whatever else Mother Nature has in store for you this spring.