Wind Damage to Roof Shingles: What Not to Do

If you suspect your home has wind-damaged roof shingles, there are a few things not to do. You are often told what to do if you suspect that you have wind damage to roof shingles. For example, you are advised to take photos immediately, log the weather data from a reliable source like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and call a trustworthy roofing contractor for an inspection. All these things help mitigate future damage and ensure an easier insurance claim, if necessary.

Rarely do you hear what not to do when you suspect wind damage to roof shingles, though. In this blog post, we will explain exactly that. First, let’s explore some types of damage we see from wind damage to roof shingles. Then, read on to learn what not to do if you find yourself in a situation of potential wind damage to roof shingles.

Types of Wind Damage to Roof Shingles

Wind Damage Causes Roof Shingles to Loosen or Lift

If your shingles loosen, you might not realize it right away. Look for small gaps indicating that a shingle may have loosened or lifted. Sometimes you can hear a tapping that is not consistent but is caused by the flapping of the shingle back down onto the roof during wind.

Wind Damage Causes Roof Shingles to Detach

Sometimes, entire shingles or patches of shingles will detach due to severe winds. Even low wind speed can cause significant wind damage to roof shingles. You might even find these shingles or pieces of shingles in your gutters or around your yard.

Wind Damage Causes Roof Shingles to Crack

Wind damage can also cause roof shingles to crack. It can be hard to spot a cracked shingle, but if you pay attention to shingles with fewer granules, you may be able to spot a darker area branching out. This could be a shingle crack due to wind.

Wind Damage Causes Roof Shingles to Curl

It’s easier to spot signs of curled shingles. If you carefully look at your roof from the ground, you should be able to see shingles that have curled up. While this is common in old roofs as well, if your roof is still relatively young, curled shingles is a sign of wind damage.

Wind Damage Causes Roof Shingles to Lose Their Granules

When shingles lose their protective granules, they age faster. The granules are there to block heat and UV rays, protecting the materials beneath it. If you see dark spots and patches on your shingles, this indicates that the granules have come loose. You may also find the granules in the gutters or coming down from the downspouts.

Wind Damage to Roof Shingles: What NOT to Do Checklist

So, when you spot signs of wind damage on your roof, there are a few things you should not do. We say this to protect you, your roof, and the integrity of any future insurance claim. Unless you are a professional roofing contractor, do not attempt to repair the damage yourself.

DIY roofing attempts can make future professional repairs more complex and costly. In addition to refraining from DIY roof repair, you should also follow the following “Wind Damage Roof Shingles: What NOT to Do” checklist.

Wind Damage to Roof Shingles: What Not to Do Checklist

• Do not walk around on your roof if you suspect wind damage unless it’s absolutely necessary.
• Do not ignore any sign of wind damage (or any other damage) to your roof.
• Do not delay calling an experienced local roofing contractor for a free roof inspection.
• Do not accept a free roof inspection from a non-local, pop-up, or traveling roof contractor; storm chasing roofing companies are often scammers.
• Do not forget to document the weather by saving the NOAA report or news articles about the windstorm – just in case you need this later.
• Do not use glue or any other substance to attempt to seal the roof yourself.
• Do not move forward with a roof repair contractor without verifying their license, their insurance, and their location.

Hire a Roofing Contractor to Inspect Wind Damage to Roof Shingles

Hiring a trusted roofing contractor can make identifying and fixing wind damage on roof shingles feel like a breeze. It is a great idea to make sure that they:

• Offer free roof inspections
• Are licensed with the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas
• Are insured by a $10M insurance policy (including workers’ compensation – so you won’t be liable if one of their employees becomes injured on your property)

Here at Elevated Roofing, we make sure that homeowners get the highest level of service. With our 5-star reviews on Google, it is evident that we are the most trusted choice in roofing companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Do You Have Wind Damage to Roof Shingles?

Most people think that strong winds could not create as much damage on a roof as hail. However, it is wiser to exercise caution. If you suspect that wind damaged your roof shingles, don’t hesitate to contact one of Elevated Roofing’s reliable and trusted roofing contractors. Delays can prolong damage to your roof and significantly worsen its condition, internally and structurally.

You can check this map to see if you are in our service area. Book a free roof inspection with us today!