We haven’t had the seasonal Santa Ana winds in a while, but when they do blow, you may want to check your roof for damages. Most homeowners or residents don't often think about it, but wind speeds over 45 mph can do severe damage to your roof. Although all roofs are designed to withstand pretty strong winds, the reality is many don’t.
And it’s not because the roofers didn’t do a great job, it’s largely because the wind doesn’t uniformly hit the roof. It tends to catch the edges or corners of the roof and other angles. When the wind keeps hitting shingles or tile at a specific angle -all roofs, regardless of how solid they are, have yielding points- shingles can peel off, open up, or even tile can shift or break off and fall.
If the damage isn’t repaired, it’s only a matter of time before you have a major roof leak. Don’t wait until it’s pouring rain and leaking inside your attic or your home before you realize that your roof has suffered severe wind damage. Let a wind-damaged roof repair expert take a look at your roof after heavy wind or a rainstorm to assess any possible damages.
What is a Wind-Damaged Roof?
A wind-damaged roof is one that has been buffeted by winds so much that the combined effect of the wind force and debris have put serious pressure on certain weak points in the roof and caused some shingles to be pulled off, blown away, or cracked.
Over time, and with consistent exposure to the elements, wind and debris can weaken the shingles and cause significant damage to the roof. Also, broken tree branches, downed power lines, and falling objects can contribute to roof storm damages.
The National Roofing Contractors Association states that most wind damage starts at the edge of the shingles leading them to be ripped off. And once there’s one missing shingle, it’s easier for the wind to catch the edges of other shingles, leading to increased damages. After that, it’s only a matter of time before a section of your roof is gone.
How Can You Tell if You Have a Wind-Damaged Roof?
The good news is that you can easily spot a wind-damaged roof, even from afar. There are clear indications like:
- Loose or missing shingles or tile –these can be easily spotted by the naked eye or with binoculars
- Bang-ups on the roof –if you keep hearing slapping or banging sounds on your roof when it’s windy, chances are the shingles are flapping and may break off or be blown away, soon
- Spots with asphalt missing –one may need to get on top of the roof to see this. A roof repair professional should do this, not you
- Roof edges curling from shingles that are peeling off
- Crooked chimney –yes, if the lashing has some missing spots, it’ll break the seal and let in water, whenever it rains
- Damaged or loose fascia or soffit
What Should You Do If You Have Roof Storm Damage?
It’s best to contact wind damage repair experts at Great Way Roofing to handle these inspections. As roofing repair professionals, we know what to look for and what to do to fix any damages before it’s too late.