A strong gust of wind can wreak havoc on the roof. If your home is in a storm zone, rise up and learn what it takes to combat wind damage.
In order to protect your roof, you must understand the threats.
Wind that clocks in at 45 to 57 mph is a mild threat. It may loosen some shingles if they’re weak.
These winds are often associated with a major storm. They can
Gusty winds that exceed 75 mph are dangerous. They’re caused by hurricanes and tropical storms. These gusts can damage a roof and its foundation.
High winds at this velocity can also create projectiles. Sharp or heavy projectiles like branches can damage the gutters on a roof.
After a storm threaten your community, go outside and inspect your roof when it’s safe. This will help you identify and address any possible roof damage. There are seven things you should look for during the inspection.
The granules are part of your shingles. They are small, sandpaper-like particles. If your roof has missing granules, you’ll find a few particles inside of the gutters.
Check the shingles on the edge of your roof. The wind can curl these shingles. If a shingle curls or peels, it will not repel water properly, and this will lead to wood rot.
Walk around your house and search for missing shingles. If a strong storm ripped a few or more shingles completely of your roof, call a professional roofer because you’ll get roof repairs. Do not delay this job as your roof’s foundation will be vulnerable until the repairs are done.
This inspection strategy is for a flat, rubber roof. If you have this type of roof, check its structure integrity and its cover. Heavy wind can lift the rubber cover, and it can create air pockets underneath it.
The fascia prevents water damage on a roof like shingles. Wind gusts can loosen, bend, or crack it during a major storm.
Chimneys have vulnerable spots that are also affected by high winds. The most vulnerable area is found near the lashing. Wind can tear or pry this material away from a chimney. If this happens, water will seep onto the roof’s’ foundation.
If your roof is damaged, there will be evidence inside of your home. First, check the ceilings in every room. If the roof is leaking, you’ll find water spots on the ceilings. You may even find water spots on your walls in certain areas.
If you ignore leaks that were caused by wind damage, you could face these problems down the road.
Wood makes up the majority of a roofing system. When wood gets wet, it will quickly rot, which is a problem because old, rotten wood attracts fungus and mold. In time, the mold from a roof will slowly seep into other areas around a home like a nearby HVAC system.
If heavy wind exposes your roof’s foundation, rain will soak the insulation in your ceilings. Soggy insulation is less efficient than dry insulation. If you fail to protect your insulation, your HVAC will work harder during heating and cooling cycles, and this will lead to higher energy costs.
When wind damage causes roof leaks, two things will eventually happen. First, the wood will deteriorate due to moisture. Then, the moisture will weaken the framework that supports the roof. Once the framework loses its structural integrity, the entire roof will collapse.
Although it seems impossible, wind damage on a roof can cause a fire. In this situation, the culprit is moisture. If water from a roof reaches vulnerable wires in the ceilings or walls, it will trigger an electric fire.
Wind damage and water damage go hand and hand. If you fail to repair your roof, water will damage the roof itself, its framework, and its foundation. Then, it will slowly destroy your flooring, walls, and ceilings. These are expensive repair jobs, which is why you must take action whenever your roof has wind damage.
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