Roof Inspections After High Winds & Storms

When you think of roof damage caused by summer storms, hail automatically comes to mind, but strong winds can also damage your roof. If your roof has sustained damage due to high winds, the first step is to call a trusted roofing company to perform a roof inspection of your roof. After the assessment, the claim will be submitted to your insurance company, who will send an adjuster to your home to conduct their assessment of the damage. Oftentimes, there is hidden wind damage not visible to the naked eye, but an experienced roofing inspector will quickly hone in on problem areas that need repair or replacement. Early detection is important because a wind-damaged roof that is not repaired can lead to more extensive (and costly) problems. For example, loose or missing shingles can allow moisture to seep in, which can lead to water damage not only to the roof itself but to the interior of your home.

The roof inspection for wind damage actually starts on the ground — in search of “collateral damage.” A roofing inspector will take a look around your house at the ground level as well as your yard. Some evidence the inspector will be looking for includes loose, cracked, or missing shingles, damaged flashing, and the presence of granules. Granules are components of asphalt shingles that protect your roof from UV damage. Compromised or missing granules make your roof more vulnerable to the sun and other elements.

After the inspection of collateral damage, it’s now time for the inspector to get up on the roof. The inspector will look for granule loss, damage to guttering and flashing, and missing or damaged shingles. The damage will be marked with chalk and photographed. Once the inspection is completed, then you can proceed with the insurance claims process. It’s important to know that if you ignore damage to your roof caused by wind, you are opening yourself up to a host of greater problems including jeopardizing your home’s structural integrity, encouraging water damage and mold growth, and reducing energy efficiency. All of these problems can morph into costly exterior renovations down the road.