What Every Homeowner Should Know About Asphalt Shingle Wind Damage
Asphalt Shingle Roof Damage Caused By Wind
How Asphalt Shingle Roof Damage Can Impact Your Home's Safety
When it comes to severe weather, your roof is an easy target! As storms become more unpredictable and sudden, strong winds, hail, and torrential rain can cause devastating roof damage. However, even windy days can negatively impact your roof without rain, hail, sleet, or snow.
Even though your roof is designed to protect your home from the elements, asphalt shingle wind damage can and does happen. If you're concerned about potential roof damage to your asphalt shingle roof, here's a crash course on why and how it happens, how to spot the signs of wind damage, and what you can do about it.
How The Wind Can Cause Asphalt Shingle Roof Damage
The wind is constantly changing. It never moves in a steady stream. It swirls up, down, and sideways at various speeds and reacts to temperature, pressure differences, and variations in the land's topography and terrain. When the wind encounters an obstacle like your home, it acts somewhat predictably.
Wind hitting the side of your house travels up and over the roof with various degrees of uplift.
Uplift pressure is the highest at the corners of your roof, and the pressure is also higher at the roof's edges, making these areas vulnerable to damage.
As wind moves across your roof, negative pressure (or suction pressure) can lift shingles off the roof deck.
Because wind doesn't hit roofs uniformly, they can be prone to wind damage. The damage depends on several factors, including everything from the wind speed to the age of your roof. Damage usually strikes around the roof's perimeter or on loose shingles. In addition to asphalt shingle wind damage, your roof could suffer from falling objects and debris.
Wind Speeds and Potential Roof Damage
The actual wind speed can impact the type and severity of the damage that can occur.
45-55 mph – Broken tree limbs, loose shingles blown off.
55-75 mph – Small trees downed, sturdy shingles ripped off.
75-90 mph – Large trees blown over or uprooted, possible structural damage can occur.
90 mph+ - Significant roof damage.
Other Factors To Consider
Along with wind speed and direction, there are several other factors that influence how wind may affect or cause damage to your roof.
Local Weather Patterns, for example, if you live in an area prone to severe weather like hail, heavy snow, rain, and high wind occur frequently.
Your Roof Geometry. High-pitched gable roofs with wide overhangs are susceptible to wind uplift damage. Aerodynamic four-sided hip roofs are more damage-resistant.
Installation Variables. The nailing method used, the quality and strength of the fasteners, and the installation can all play a role in a roof's wind resistance. Also, improper installation like incorrect nil placement, poorly sealed flashing or the lack of starter strip shingles can all increase susceptibility to wind damage.
The Roofs Age And Condition. An older roof may have dried, cracked, or curled shingles or spots where the sealant bond has failed, making it more susceptible to serious damage during a severe storm.
Previous Unaddressed Damage. If your roof has minor damage like broken or missing shingles and missing flashing, its prone to wind damage over time or during a severe weather event.
Indoor and Outdoor Signs of Asphalt Shingle Wind Damage
Some signs are more obvious than others. After a weather event, some damage, like a puncture from a tree limb, large expanses of exposed underlayment, or missing hip and ridge shingles, are typically visible.
Other signs might be subtler, but you can spot them if you know what to look for indoors and out. When examining your roof, always keep safety in mind. Wear appropriate protective gear when checking your home's exterior and interior for damage. If you cannot inspect your home, contact a roofing professional.
After a weather event, and at least annually, take the time to walk your home's perimeter and check for pieces of shingles. Scan the roof and look for areas where shingle edges are slightly raised. Narrow lines near shingle edges can indicate they may have been flipped up in the wind. Scratch marks or physical debris can also signify damage. Look for damaged ridge and soffit vents, cracked or gaping flashing, and curled, torn, or raised shingles along the roof's edge.
Asphalt shingle wind damage can also cause damage to your home interior. Check for interior damage by inspecting your attic and finished living areas. As always, practice safety first! When entering the attic, have a safe walking path and wear appropriate protective gear. Look for discolored patches on the ceilings and walls that warn you that water is getting in through your roof.
If you feel that you cannot do this safely, call a roofing professional and have them inspect your home's interior and exterior for signs of damage.
Educating yourself on the signs of roof damage can help you identify potential damage and take proactive steps to fix your roof before minor damage becomes more serious. As a rule, you should schedule regular annual roof inspections with a trusted roofing professional and perform regular routine maintenance to extend the life of your roof. Keeping your roof in excellent shape will improve its performance, extend its life, and keep your family, home, and possessions safe from harsh outdoor conditions.
If you need a new roof and live in Waseca, Freeborn, or the neighboring Counties in Southern Minnesota, call Rooftop Solutions. (507) 400-7663. We can help you determine the extent of roof damage, handle your insurance claim, and safely repair or replace your roof with the latest roofing technology. Let us explain your roof shingle options and safely replace your roof with roofing materials that are energy-efficient, durable, and look beautiful!
