How To Check For Wind Damage On A Roof
Even when a storm produces no rain
or hail, your roof can still sustain damage. Intense winds can create stress
points on a roof that, over time, can weaken and become compromised. While a roof
is designed to resist typical wind loads, they can be damaged over the years by
high winds and debris carried by the wind. Replacing missing shingles and
fixing the initial roof damage quickly is important to prevent subsequent water
damage and high fuel costs that will inevitably result from a roof system that
is not working as it should.
How to Check for Roof Wind Damage
- Perform an Outdoor Inspection: Look for missing and damaged shingles (damaged
shingles might be curled, cracked, or torn) on your roof or around your
property. If this type of damage is localized (i.e., it covers less than
30 percent of the entire roof), roofing repairs might be able to address
the problem. More extensive damage might necessitate roof replacement.
Also keep in mind that not only the roof itself, but the chimney,
ventilation pipes, roof flashing, gutters and fencing can also become
damaged. Be sure to inspect them for damage as well. If you suspect
that your roof is damaged, here is a basic list of what to look for:
- Composition shingles:
curling, loss of granulation, broken, damaged or missing shingles
- Wood shingles/shakes:
Mold or decay, splitting or curling
- Flat roof: Obvious
patches, cracks or tears, several blisters and/or wrinkles (also check
patched areas from inside the attic)
- Flashing: Tears,
buckling around roof penetrations
- Roofing cement: Excess
cement, crumbling
- Soffits and fascia:
Decay, stains
- Soffit and ridge vents: Clogged or damaged vents, flashing and shingles around
them curling or missing
- Gutters:
Decay or rust, leaky seams, loosely attached to structure, bent or
sagging, missing sections of gutter or downspout, filled with debris.
Clogged gutters can easily freeze shut and cause excessive weight on
gutter fasteners, ice dam conditions, and slippery walks below.
- Chimneys: Leaning,
loose or missing flashing, damaged bricks, cap or cracked joints. Chimney
flashing is especially prone to tearing because a chimney settles
independently from the house.
- Perform an Indoor Inspection: Moisture marks, brown, yellow, or grey stains, and
peeling paint on walls and/or ceilings could all indicate a damaged,
leaking roof. Also check your attic for damp rafters or leaks. And if you
experience a sudden surge in energy costs, it could be a sign that your
roof ventilation has been compromised.
- Call in a Professional: Call in a roofer for a professional inspection.
Getting on your roof yourself is not recommended as it can lead to
personal injury and further damage to your property. A trained
professional also has the tools and safety techniques to get up on your
roof and check for damage.
What
to Do if Your Roof has Wind Damage
If you have roof damage caused by
wind and/or flying debris, it’s important to get it fixed immediately. The
longer you wait, the more damage will occur. Roof replacement and roof repair costs
a lot less when you don’t have to add in the other costs of repairing leaks and
water damage. Contact your insurance agent to assess the situation and
determine whether you should file a claim. Thoroughly document any damage that
occurred and keep receipts for all work, including any you do yourself, such as
covering windows or holes in your roof to facilitate reimbursement if you file
a claim. Many policies will cover these expenses when submitted with a claim.
JCF Construction has you covered in your time of need. We
are a fully insured roofing contractor. Call today for your free estimate.
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