A roof is an essential feature of building structures everywhere. It protects the people inside of a building from exposure to sunlight and rain.
Hence, when you own a property, make sure that your roof is as durable as it can be. But even if you use the sturdiest of materials, a roof may still succumb to damage from the elements, especially from strong winds.
High wind damage on a roof is easier to spot if you regularly climb up to check your roof. If you live somewhere in the United States with frequent storms, you’ll likely have a roof that’s greatly damaged by wind.
Read this post if you’re a new homeowner who suspects their roof isn’t in top shape. Here are the signs you must observe so you can carry out roof repairs immediately.
- Peeling Or Missing Shingles
A roof with defaced shingles is one of the most evident signs of high wind damage. Shingles are installed piece by piece. Some can peel off or go missing when a major storm rolls in. Thankfully, since it’s a typical structure issue and can happen to anyone, it’s easy to find a roof repair team like District Roofing to fix problems related to your roof’s shingles.
The best-case scenario is that you’re only missing a few shingles, or some have curled from the wind. Nonetheless, if the damage is bad enough to make your roof look bare, you must replace the whole thing.
The ideal solution is to contact a repair team that can perform a proper roof replacement in Virginia or other nearby areas.
- Tilted Chimney
Another tell-tale sign of high wind damage is a tilted chimney. Unless it initially has a slanted design, you should worry if your chimney isn’t standing straight. It means that winds in your area are so strong that they can push a chimney to one side.
When you spot your chimney looking crooked, call a roofing company immediately. Another strong breeze could blow it off your roof and damage the whole roof plus injure somebody below.
- Cracks, Tears, And Dents
Flat roofs aren’t immune to wind damage either. High winds can create tears and cracks on the covering or leave bubbles in rubber roofing. These broken sections may weaken the roof or break a whole portion when left alone without immediate repairs.
Dents are another issue. Wind can carry debris as large and as heavy as hailstones. When you include fast wind speeds, it’d feel like someone’s launching rocks onto your roof. A tiny dent might not look like a significant problem. But over time, it could crack the roof shingles and lead to leaks. Thus, it’s recommended that you always perform regular flat roof upkeep and repairs.
- Clogged Or Damaged Gutters
Wind damage doesn’t only manifest directly on the roof. It could sometimes show itself in the form of clogged gutters. You might find granules from the shingles collected in the gutter with other debris.
The gutters could suffer from dents caused by high winds too. Additional wind-caused damage may be fallen gutters or downspouts, negatively affecting your roof. Some issues that result from broken gutters include the following:
- Water seepage;
- Mildew growth;
- Structural damage; and the like.
Make it a habit to inspect your home’s gutters and repair minor problems as soon as you see them. Your home’s quality can increase significantly when its gutters are clean and in top condition.
- Damaged Soffit And Fascia
Underneath most modern roofs are the soffit and fascia, two structural parts that don’t get as much attention.
The soffit is the underside portion of your roof, often visible when one stands below it. It also acts as a vent for your attic. Meanwhile, the fascia is the exposed siding of your roof’s overhang where you usually install the gutters.
These two parts have a minor role in your home’s curb appeal yet a significant role in its safety from the elements. If they have any damage, which could come from strong winds, they may let water, insects, and small animals into your home. Intense gusts might even blow away loose fascia when not repaired at once.
- Indoor Leaks
When your gutters and soffits can’t block or redirect rainwater, water from your roof will eventually leak inside. This issue might be the worst possible wind-caused damage next to missing shingles or holes on the roof.
The best way to stop indoor leaks is to fix them from the source. A reputable roofing team will repair or replace your roof, depending on the severity of the damage. Replacing the roof could be the last resort if the damage found is beyond repair.
Conclusion
Roofs exist to protect your home from outside elements, including the wind. But it can’t always withstand them. In fact, a strong gale of continuous wind can ruin your roof without you noticing. Thus, it’s recommended that you always keep an eye on your roof. Once you spot any of the abovementioned signs of a damaged roof, don’t hesitate to reach out to a roof repair company near you.
