Your roof is designed with a specific purpose in mind: to protect you and your home from the elements. But not all storms are created equal — some storms, especially those that fall under the “extreme weather” category, can cause significant damage.
If you’ve recently had a storm come through your region, it’s essential to look for signs of damage to your roof. Certain damage can be seen with a quick glance, but an experienced roofing contractor can complete a thorough and free inspection to see if you need any repair work done.
To help you determine how to identify roof wind damage and when a roofing expert needs to be called in, we’ve put together a list of the top storm damage signs and a handy checklist for your reference.
How to Identify Roof Damage?
If your roof is new or a few years old and you notice a loose or missing shingle, replacing the individual shingle is probably sufficient. But if you think you’ve experienced broader or more extensive wind damage to roof shingles, it’s important to understand how to properly identify it.
Signs of Wind Damage
Varying wind speeds can not only have an impact on outdoor activities, but they can also cause harm to your roof, such as missing or wind-damaged shingles.
According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, wind speeds of as little as 19 to 24 mph can put your home and roof at risk of storm damage. Here’s how:
- Small trees will begin to sway, and loose or already wind-damaged shingles can become airborne at wind speeds between 19 and 24 mph.
- When wind speeds range between 25 and 31 mph, heavy tree branches sway, putting rotting branches at risk of breaking.
- You’ll have significant difficulty walking when wind speeds hit between 32 and 38 mph, and you can see entire trees begin to sway and move.
- With wind speeds between 39 and 46 mph, keeping your car safely on the road will be a challenge, and healthy tree limbs can break, causing damage to people and property below.
- Wind speeds between 47 and 54 mph can cause storm damage to buildings and other structures — including your roof.
- Expect trees to be uprooted and considerable structural damage with wind speeds between 55 and 63 mph.
- Wind speeds above 64 mph will generally cause widespread damage to structures of varying sizes and durability.
What to Look Out for:
- Missing shingles
- Shingles that are missing granules following a storm
- Cracks, creases, or tears in rubber roofing
- Damaged, broken, or pieces missing from your soffit or fascia
- Chimney damage, including missing or broken bricks or siding, leaning chimney, or missing or damaged chimney cap
- If the wind was accompanied by rain, leaks could be an indication of roof damage
Signs of Hail Damage
Hail can cause a surprising amount of damage to your roof. It can harm individual shingles by causing indentations that can be challenging to see, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. These pockmarks can cause shingles to crack, allowing water to soak in and do further harm over time.
What to Look Out for:
- Like wind, hail storms can result in areas of missing granules on roof shingles.
- Round ball-like indentations on the exterior of your home. If you can’t see damage by looking up at your roof, check other structures or vehicles on your property. If they show signs of hail damage, it might be a good idea to have your roof inspected for hail storm damage.
Signs of Damage Caused by Debris
Storm damage signs can include falling tree branches or other debris landing on your roof. While lighter debris such as leaves or small branches won’t likely cause damage, more oversized items like heavy tree limbs can do significant storm damage to your roof.
If you have concerns about your roof following a storm, having a professional roofing contractor carry out a free inspection can help you quickly identify roof damage.
What to Look Out for:
- Signs of debris on your roof
- Missing or cracked shingles
- Shingles missing granules
- A pile of shingle granules at the bottom of your downspout can indicate damage. New shingles can shed some granules during a storm shortly after installation, but a big pile of granules can indicate more serious storm damage.
Roof Storm Damage Signs Checklist: What to Do After a Storm
#1) First Things First: Schedule a Roof Inspection
If you suspect your roof has been damaged following a storm or extreme weather event, it’s time to schedule a roof inspection.
Because roof inspections are carried out by experienced roofing experts, like those at Clean Roof Today, they can quickly identify water, debris, hail, or other storm damage that you might otherwise miss.
#2) Check for Damage From a Safe Distance
Storm damage to a roof can mean additional damage to other parts of your home. When checking your roof for damage, it’s important to do so from a safe distance. Binoculars are great for inspecting your roof for signs of potential damage without putting yourself or your property at additional risk. Remember, it costs less to repair a roof than to rebuild it (if you’ve fallen through).
#3) Take Notes and Pictures for Future Insurance Purposes
It’s easy to forget things following storm damage. That’s why taking notes and pictures can be a great help when it comes to filing for insurance. By taking detailed notes and photos, you’re putting yourself in the best position for your insurance claim’s fastest resolution.
Rather than telling your insurer you’ve experienced roof damage, you can send them a picture. When it comes to insurance claims, a picture really is worth a thousand words.
#4) Hire an Experienced Roofing Contractor You Can Trust
Working with an experienced roofing contractor can help you repair your damage and give you peace of mind knowing you’re taking care of your family the right way. You can trust their expertise to catch signs of damage you might have missed.
#5) Get Your Homeowners Insurance Provider Involved
If you’ve experienced storm damage, it might be time to file an insurance claim. The experienced roofing specialists at Clean Roof Today can help take some of the hassle out of the process by providing detailed reports with our findings and industry-approved recommendations after our no-fee inspection.
The reports we provide can make insurance claims easier to file and help you get a quicker approval because they detail the type and cause of damage, what must be done to repair the damage, and an estimate of how much it will cost.
Noticing Signs of Storm Damage? It’s Time to Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection
To find out more about how to identify roof storm and wind damage, reach out to Clean Roof Today.
Our team of specialists is waiting to help you repair or replace your damaged roof. Schedule your free roof inspection today, and we can happily accommodate a contactless assessment upon request.
