Wind Damage Roof Repair
Wind damage is easy to underestimate. Missing shingles are obvious. The bigger problem is shingles that were lifted hard enough to break the factory sealant strip and then laid back down looking normal. They are no longer bonded, and the next storm takes them.
What wind does to a roof
- Breaks the sealant bond so shingles flap and eventually tear free
- Creases shingles at the fold line, which cracks the mat even if the shingle stays put
- Lifts and loosens ridge caps, the most exposed part of the roof
- Peels back drip edge and metal flashing at rakes and eaves
- Damages fences, fascia and gutters, which corroborates a claim
- Drives rain sideways into wall flashing and under lifted shingles
What to check after a wind event
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Walk the perimeter
Look for shingle granules and shingle pieces in the yard, on the driveway and in the gutters.
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Look at the ridge
Ridge caps are the first thing to go. From the ground, look for irregular lines or gaps along the peak.
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Check the rakes and eaves
Lifted or missing drip edge and starter course is common and lets water under the field.
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Check the attic after the next rain
Wind damage frequently shows up as new staining after the following storm, not the one that caused it.
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Photograph everything with the date
Wind claims live and die on tying damage to a specific event.
Repair or replace after wind
Wind damage is more often repairable than hail damage, because it tends to be concentrated on the windward slope and at edges. The two things that push it toward replacement are the age of the roof and shingle matching. On a 15-year-old roof, the discontinued color and the brittleness of the surrounding shingles often mean a repair looks bad and does not hold.
Frequently asked questions
- How much wind does it take to damage a roof?
- Sustained gusts in the 45 to 60 mph range can lift and break the sealant bond on aging shingles. Newer, properly nailed architectural shingles carry higher ratings, but those ratings assume correct installation and full sealant bonding.
- Are lifted shingles covered by insurance?
- Wind damage is a covered peril on most Texas homeowners policies, but whether a specific lifted or creased shingle is treated as damage varies by adjuster. Photo documentation of creasing and broken seals matters here.
- Can missing shingles be replaced individually?
- Yes, when a matching shingle is available and the surrounding shingles are not too brittle to lift without breaking. On older roofs, matching is usually the obstacle.
- Do I need to do anything before a roofer arrives?
- Keep any shingle pieces you find, photograph the yard and the roof from the ground, and stay off the roof. If water is actively entering, call us and we will discuss emergency stabilization.
Keep reading
Shingles missing after the last storm?
We will check the whole slope, not just the bare spot.
Or call (972) 999-8388