Wind damage on a roof usually starts at the edges, corners and ridge. Look for missing shingles, shingles that sit crooked or flap, shingles in the yard, bent flashing and grit piled at the downspouts. Some damage hides, though. A shingle can lift, break its seal and lie back down looking fine. That’s why a storm with strong gusts deserves a closer look, even if the roof looks normal from the street.
How strong does wind have to be to damage a roof?
Not as strong as you’d think. The National Weather Service says “when winds are sustained at 40-50 mph, isolated wind damage is possible” (National Weather Service). A thunderstorm counts as severe once its gusts hit 58 mph or greater (NOAA Storm Prediction Center). And straight-line thunderstorm winds “can exceed 100 mph” (National Weather Service).
Did your area get a severe thunderstorm warning? Then your roof took real force. That doesn’t mean it failed. It means it’s worth checking.
Age matters too. Our FAQ notes a shingled roof lasts 15 to 40 years. An older roof gives up shingles at lower speeds than a newer one.
What does wind damage look like from the ground?
Most of it you can see without a ladder. Walk the yard first. Shingle pieces on the grass are the clearest sign there is. Then scan the edges and corners with binoculars. That’s where wind gets underneath.
Look for gaps in the rows or a strip of different color where a shingle is gone. Check the ridge cap and the flashing around the chimney and vents.
A pile of grit at a downspout means shingles are shedding granules. After the next rain, check ceilings and the attic for new stains.
If you also had hail, the signs are different. Our guide on how to tell if your roof has hail damage covers that side.
Why does some wind damage stay hidden?
Shingles are held down by nails and a strip of tar that seals each one to the row below. Strong wind can peel a shingle up and break that seal. When the wind dies, the shingle drops back into place.
From the ground it looks perfect. But it isn’t stuck down anymore. The next storm lifts it easily. Sometimes the shingle folds as it lifts and leaves a crease across it. That crease is a weak line, and it can tear later.
You can’t see a broken seal from the yard. A trained inspector checks by hand. Please don’t climb up yourself. A roof after a storm is slick and dangerous.
When should you call a roofer after a windstorm?
Call if you found shingles on the ground, gaps on the roof or a new leak. Call if a severe storm passed and your roof is getting older. Earlier is better. A small lifted section is a simple repair. Left alone, water gets under it and soaks the wood.
Storm season runs long here. The Atlantic hurricane season “runs from June 1 to November 30” (National Hurricane Center). Midlands roofs also catch summer thunderstorms. Our roof storm damage repair team handles both.
Does insurance cover wind damage to a roof?
Often it can, but that’s up to your policy and your adjuster. We can’t promise any claim gets paid. Good records help. Take dated photos from the ground and write down the storm date.
Then get an inspection before you file. We’ll “gladly work with your insurance company to make the claim process as smooth as possible” (Red Shirt Guys FAQ). Our page on the roof insurance claim process walks through each step.
Get a free look at your roof
The Red Shirt Guys Roofing is veteran-owned with over twenty years on Midlands roofs. Call 803.243.3968 or request your free estimate. We’ll tell you straight what we find.
FAQ
What wind speed causes roof damage? The National Weather Service says isolated damage is possible once winds hold at 40-50 mph. Older roofs fail sooner.
Can wind damage a roof without removing shingles? Yes. Wind can break the seal under a shingle or crease it. The shingle lies back down and looks fine until the next storm.
Is it safe to get on my roof to check for wind damage? No. Use binoculars from the yard. Leave the roof itself to a trained crew with safety gear.
Should I fix wind damage on my roof before calling insurance? Cover active leaks to stop more damage, and photograph everything first. Let your adjuster see the damage before permanent repairs.
Not sure what your roof needs?
Get a free, no-pressure roof inspection from The Red Shirt Guys.
Request a free inspectionor call 803-243-3968