High winds can loosen shingles, damage flashing, expose underlayment, and create openings that allow water into your home. Some wind damage is obvious, such as shingles lying in your yard, while other damage may not be visible from the ground.
If strong winds have recently moved through your area, taking the right steps can help prevent additional damage and give you a clearer understanding of whether your roof needs repair or replacement.
1. Check for Immediate Safety Hazards
Before inspecting your property, make sure it is safe to go outside. Stay away from downed power lines, fallen trees, hanging branches, loose roofing materials, and other storm debris.
Do not climb onto your roof after a storm. Wind can leave shingles, flashing, slate, and other roofing materials loose or unstable. A professional roof inspection is the safest way to evaluate areas you cannot see from the ground.
If a tree or large branch has fallen onto your home, avoid the affected area until the structure has been evaluated.
2. Look for Signs of Wind Damage From the Ground
Walk around your property and look for visible changes to the roof and exterior.
Common signs of roof wind damage include:
- Missing or blown-off shingles
- Lifted, curled, or creased shingles
- Shingle pieces or roofing debris in the yard
- Damaged flashing around chimneys, vents, or roof edges
- Loose gutters or downspouts
- Damaged fascia or soffits
- Displaced or broken slate
- Fallen branches or tree damage
- Exposed roof decking or underlayment
Even if all of your shingles appear to be in place, your roof may still have wind damage. Strong winds can loosen or break the seal between asphalt shingles without completely removing them.
3. Check Inside Your Home for Water Intrusion
Wind-driven rain can enter through areas of the roof that were loosened or damaged during the storm.
Check your attic, ceilings, and upper floors for:
- Water stains
- Damp insulation
- Wet roof decking
- Dripping water
- Peeling or bubbling paint
- New discoloration on ceilings or walls
- Musty odors
A roof leak may not appear immediately after a storm. Small openings can allow moisture to enter gradually, so continue watching for signs of water intrusion over the following days.
4. Document the Damage
Take photos and videos of visible storm damage before temporary or permanent repairs are completed, as long as you can do so safely.
Document:
- Missing shingles
- Roofing materials on the ground
- Fallen trees or branches
- Damaged gutters and exterior components
- Interior water damage
- Damaged personal property
- The general condition of the property after the storm
Keep records of inspections, estimates, temporary repairs, and other storm-related expenses. If you decide to file an insurance claim, your insurance carrier may request documentation of the damage.
5. Prevent Additional Water Damage
If wind has created an opening in the roof, temporary protection may be necessary to limit additional water intrusion until permanent repairs can be made.
Depending on the damage, emergency measures may include tarping an exposed section of the roof or securing another temporary covering.
Because storm-damaged roofs can be unstable, temporary roof protection should generally be handled by an experienced roofing professional rather than attempting to tarp the roof yourself.
If water is actively entering your home, move belongings away from the affected area when safe to do so and contain interior water where possible.
6. Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
Not all wind damage can be identified from the ground.
A professional roofing inspection can identify problems such as:
- Broken shingle seals
- Creased or lifted shingles
- Loose roofing materials
- Damaged flashing
- Exposed fasteners
- Damaged ridge caps
- Slate displacement
- Membrane or edge damage on flat roofs
- Areas vulnerable to future leaks
The inspection should determine the extent of the damage and whether targeted repairs are sufficient or a larger section of the roof needs attention.
7. Determine Whether You Need Roof Repair or Replacement
Wind damage does not automatically mean you need a new roof.
A localized repair may be appropriate when the damage is limited to a small section and the surrounding roofing system remains in good condition.
More extensive repairs or roof replacement may be considered when:
- Wind damage affects multiple areas of the roof
- A significant number of shingles are missing or damaged
- The roof has widespread lifted or creased shingles
- The underlying decking has been damaged
- The roof was already approaching the end of its service life
- Matching existing roofing materials is difficult
- Repairs would not adequately restore the roofing system
A roofing contractor should explain the condition of the roof and the available repair options rather than assuming replacement is necessary after every storm.
8. Review Your Homeowners Insurance Policy
Homeowners insurance policies may provide coverage for certain types of wind damage, but coverage depends on the individual policy, cause of damage, deductible, roof condition, and other factors.
If you believe the damage may be covered, review your policy and contact your insurance carrier to understand the claims process.
Your roofing contractor can document the physical condition of the roof and provide an estimate for necessary repairs. The insurance company ultimately determines whether a loss is covered under your policy.
How Quickly Should You Repair Wind Damage?
Wind damage should be evaluated as soon as reasonably possible, especially when shingles are missing or water is entering the home.
A small damaged area can become a larger problem when another storm brings rain or high winds. Loose shingles may continue to lift, exposed materials can deteriorate, and moisture can reach insulation, decking, ceilings, and other parts of the home.
Addressing the damage early can help protect the roof from additional deterioration.
Can Your Roof Have Wind Damage If No Shingles Are Missing?
Yes. Missing shingles are only one sign of wind damage.
Wind can lift an asphalt shingle enough to weaken or break its adhesive seal and then allow the shingle to settle back into place. From the ground, the roof may appear normal even though individual shingles have been loosened or creased.
Flashing, ridge caps, gutters, slate, and other roofing components can also be damaged without obvious shingle loss.
If your property experienced significant winds, a professional inspection can help identify less-visible damage.
What Wind Speed Can Damage a Roof?
There is no single wind speed at which every roof begins to experience damage. The condition and age of the roof, roofing material, installation quality, wind direction, gusts, surrounding terrain, and existing vulnerabilities can all affect how a roof performs during a storm.
Rather than relying on wind speed alone, inspect the property for changes after a severe wind event and have questionable areas evaluated by a roofing professional.
Get Your Roof Checked After a Wind Storm
If high winds have damaged your roof, Revive Roofing & Restoration can inspect the roofing system, identify affected areas, and explain whether repairs or replacement are appropriate.
Our team provides wind damage roof inspections and repairs for homeowners throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware.
Think your roof may have wind damage? Contact Revive Roofing & Restoration to schedule an inspection.
