Undoubtedly, Texas can see some nasty windstorms throughout the year. When your home gets hit with heavy wind gusts, your roof can take the brunt of it. If you notice that your shingles have been damaged after a storm, it’s necessary to get proper professional care before the next weather event.
A Note on Nasty Storms
When people think of damage to their roofs from storms, they often imagine shingles being ripped up and blown off the roof. While missing shingles are a problem, your roof can be affected in other ways. Flying debris, such as tree branches and lawn furniture, can cause serious damage. For example, large branches can puncture roofing materials, leading to leaks or structural issues. Debris can also crack or shatter skylights, exposing your home to the elements. Additionally, flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights can be bent or torn, creating gaps where water can seep in. Even your gutters are at risk.
Wind Speeds That Can Damage Your Roof
Heavy winds can cause serious damage to your roof, but the extent of the damage depends on wind speed. According to the National Weather Service, wind gusts reaching 45 miles per hour can break weakened tree limbs and lift loose shingles.
At 60 miles per hour, wind gusts can uproot trees, snap large branches, and tear off shingles that were previously in good condition. When wind speeds exceed 75 miles per hour, they are strong enough to flip mobile homes and inflict significant damage on your roof and home.
Assessing Your Roof for Damage
After you experience any nasty storm with 45-mile-per-hour wind gusts or higher, it’s important to have a professional roofer evaluate the state of your roof. If you do not make this appointment, you could end up with roof leaks and other issues when the next rainstorm comes through your area. They will look for several key signs of damage when performing a roof inspection to determine what kinds of roof repairs are necessary.
Missing Shingles
The most obvious sign of roof damage after a storm is missing shingles. Even a single missing shingle can leave your roof vulnerable to water infiltration, which may lead to leaks and structural damage over time. It’s important to address this issue promptly, as leaving the roof exposed to the elements can lead to more costly repairs later. A professional roofer can inspect the area, replace the missing shingles, and ensure the roof is properly sealed to prevent further damage.
Peeling Shingles
Peeling shingles may not be visible from the ground. They are most commonly found near the edges of your roof, where wind gusts are strongest. Wind can lift these shingles, but their fasteners may keep them from completely detaching. Depending on the extent of the damage, a roofer may be able to nail them back into place. However, they will need to replace cracked or damaged ones.
Punctures
Punctures are a more serious concern, often caused by branches or other flying debris that pierce through the shingles. This type of damage can extend beyond the shingles, affecting the underlayment. Underlayment is a protective layer installed on the roof decking beneath the roofing shingles that acts as a secondary barrier against water.
Roofers will first inspect the extent of the damage by removing the affected shingles to assess the condition of the underlayment underneath. If the underlayment is damaged, they will typically replace the compromised sections with new underlayment material. This step is essential to ensure a watertight seal before replacing the shingles.
Damaged Flashing
Flashing is a crucial component of your roofing system. It is usually made of metal, and roofers use it to seal around roof protrusions like chimneys or vents. They also install it where two sections of your roof meet as an extra layer of protection. During a windstorm, flashing can come loose or bent. This damage leaves vulnerable spaces between the shingles, roof protrusions, and other areas of your roof.
When a roofer assesses damaged flashing, they will first identify the extent of the issue. If the flashing is bent, they may be able to remove it, straighten it out, and reinstall it. Alternatively, a roofer can reattach loose flashing, while they will need to replace missing or mangled flashing.
Interior Water Leaks
While the majority of wind damage to your roof is most obvious outdoors, it’s equally important to assess the interior of your home. A professional will inspect your attic for damp spots on the ceiling beneath the roof and damp insulation. These signs indicate that water may have penetrated through compromised shingles or flashing.
How Emergency Repair Service Works
After a severe windstorm, the first step is to contact a roofing professional to evaluate the condition of your roof. Companies that specialize in storm damage are equipped with emergency tarps to protect your home from further water intrusion while assessing the situation. They will also help you file an insurance claim if your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the damage.
How Are Roof Insurance Claims Handled?
It can be helpful to contact a roofer before contacting your insurance company to get a reliable quote. It’s very common for your insurance company to send out an adjuster to assess the damage and determine the total repair cost. It can be quite helpful to have your roofer onsite when the insurance adjustor assesses your roof so they can point out any specific problems to ensure you get a feasible repair quote from your insurance provider. When repairing your roof, a reputable roofer will work within the insurance company’s pricing guidelines.
Once the repair work is complete, you’ll need to notify your insurance company so they can release payment to your roofer. The funds released will be the cost of replacement that the insurance adjustor determined minus whatever your deductible is for your insurance plan. You will be responsible for paying the roofer the amount of your deductible.
Upgrading to a Metal or Tile Roof
Homeowners can often use the money from their homeowner’s insurance to upgrade their roofs after severe damage. Roofing materials like tile and metal are rated to handle wind gusts up to around 150 miles per hour. Whether this is possible in your situation depends on your insurance policy. Some policies provide “actual cash value,” which may only cover the cost of replacing the damaged shingles with similar materials. Others offer “replacement cost” coverage, which may allow for upgrades. Your adjuster can provide guidance on what the insurance company will cover and whether upgrading to tile or metal is permissible under your policy terms.
Contact the Experts
At KPost Company, we have been serving the residents of Dallas, TX and the surrounding areas since 2004. We install, repair, and maintain roofs. Additionally, we specialize in emergency roof repair after storm damage and will work with your insurance company to restore your roof. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable roofers.
