After a severe storm passes, your first instinct is often to check your yard for downed limbs and debris. While this is important, the most critical post-storm inspection you should conduct is of your roof. High winds, whether from a hurricane, a tornado, or a severe thunderstorm, can inflict significant damage that isn’t always obvious from the ground. Unseen and unaddressed wind damage can lead to leaks, structural issues, and costly repairs down the road.

Your roof is designed to be tough, but wind is a relentless and tricky adversary. It doesn’t just push against your roof; it pulls, lifts, and pries at every edge and seam. Knowing what to look for after a storm is the key to catching problems early and protecting your home from further harm. Many homeowners miss the subtle signs of wind damage, only realizing there’s an issue when a water stain appears on their ceiling weeks later.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about identifying wind damage on your roof. We’ll cover how to perform a safe inspection, detail the specific signs of damage on different types of roofing, explain the hidden dangers of compromised seals, and outline the exact steps to take once you’ve found a problem.

 

The Science of Wind: How It Really Damages Your Roof

To spot wind damage effectively, it helps to understand the forces at play. Wind doesn’t just cause damage by blowing things around; it creates complex pressure dynamics that can tear a roof apart.

Wind Uplift: The Primary Threat

The most destructive force wind exerts on a roof is called uplift. This phenomenon is similar to the principle that allows an airplane to fly.

1. Low-Pressure Creation: As fast-moving wind travels over the peak and edges of your roof, it creates a low-pressure zone on the surface, essentially sucking it upwards.
2. Internal Pressurization: Simultaneously, wind can force its way into your attic through soffit vents, gable vents, or other openings. This increases the air pressure inside the attic, pushing up on the roof deck from below.
3. The Lifting Effect: The combination of low pressure above the roof and high pressure below it creates a powerful lifting force. This force pulls on the shingles, tiles, and even the underlying roof deck.

The corners and eaves of the roof are the most vulnerable areas because this is where the uplift forces are strongest. If the wind can lift just one shingle, it creates an opening for the wind to get underneath the next one, leading to a chain reaction that can peel off an entire section of the roof.

Flying Debris and Impact Damage

High winds turn unsecured objects into dangerous projectiles. Tree branches, lawn furniture, trash cans, and even gravel from neighboring roofs can be hurled at your home with incredible force.

• Punctures and Fractures: When this debris strikes your roof, it can crack, shatter, or puncture the roofing material. On an asphalt shingle roof, this can create an immediate hole. On a tile or slate roof, it can cause cracks that may be hard to see but will allow water to seep through.
• Granule Loss: Smaller debris scraping across the surface of asphalt shingles can act like sandpaper, stripping away the protective granules. This “balding” exposes the underlying asphalt to the sun’s UV rays, drastically shortening the shingle’s lifespan.

The Problem with Broken Seals

Asphalt shingles are installed with a factory-applied adhesive strip. The heat from the sun melts this strip, bonding the shingles together to form a watertight, wind-resistant seal. High winds can break this critical seal, even if the shingle isn’t visibly creased or torn.

Once this seal is broken, the shingle is loose. It may lay flat and look perfectly fine from the ground, but it is no longer properly secured. The next strong gust of wind can easily lift it, allowing wind-driven rain to get underneath. This is one of the most common and overlooked forms of wind damage.

 

A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Post-Storm Roof Inspection

After a storm, a thorough inspection is crucial. Your safety is the top priority, so these steps are designed to be performed from the ground or with extreme caution.

Step 1: The Ground-Level Walk-Around

Start by walking the entire perimeter of your home and yard. Your first clues about roof damage may be on the ground.

• Look for Debris in the Yard: Scan your lawn, driveway, and garden beds for any roofing materials. Finding whole shingles or tiles is an obvious sign of significant damage. Also, look for smaller pieces of flashing (metal strips), felt paper, or shingle fragments.
• Check Gutters and Downspouts: Look for an excessive accumulation of shingle granules. A storm will naturally wash some loose granules away, but if you see large amounts of them—piles of what looks like coarse, dark sand—it indicates significant wear and potential impact damage. Also, check to see if your gutters are bent, dented, or pulling away from the house, as this can be a sign of impact or strong wind forces.
• Scan the Ground Near the House: Look for damage to siding, windows, and the area immediately around your foundation. Damage in these areas could suggest the force of the wind was strong enough to affect the roof as well.

Step 2: The Binocular Inspection from the Ground

Never get on a roof yourself, especially after a storm when it could be wet, slippery, or structurally compromised. A good pair of binoculars is your safest and most effective tool for a detailed visual inspection from the ground.

Find a few different vantage points around your property where you can see all the different slopes and facets of your roof. Systematically scan each section, looking for the following signs.

 

Specific Signs of Wind Damage to Look For

Wind damage can manifest differently depending on your type of roof. Here is what to look for on the most common roofing materials.

For Asphalt Shingle Roofs

This is the most common roofing material, and it has several telltale signs of wind damage.

• Missing or Torn Shingles: This is the most obvious sign. Look for patches of a different color (the underlayment) where shingles used to be. Pay extra attention to the areas near the roof’s peak (the ridge) and the edges.
• Curled or Lifted Shingles: Scan the rows of shingles. Do any of them look like their edges or corners are lifting up? Wind can get underneath and begin to curl them upwards, breaking the seal. Shingles that are lifted are highly vulnerable to being torn off completely in the next storm.
• Creased or Bent Shingles: Look for a horizontal line or crease on the shingle, typically a few inches below the edge of the shingle above it. This happens when the wind repeatedly flaps the shingle back and forth, bending it over the edge of the one below it. A creased shingle has a broken fiberglass mat, meaning its integrity is compromised and it’s essentially a leak waiting to happen. This is a classic sign of a broken seal that insurance adjusters look for.
• “Bald” Spots (Granule Loss): Look for dark, patchy spots where the colorful granules have been worn away. While this also happens over time with age, a storm can accelerate the process through impacts from hail or flying debris.

For Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are very wind-resistant, but they are not indestructible.

• Loose or Lifted Panels: Look along the seams and edges of the metal panels. Do any of them appear to be lifted or separating? Pay close attention to the flashing around vents and chimneys.
• Dents and Punctures: Scan the surface of the panels for dents or dings caused by flying debris. While a small dent may only be a cosmetic issue, a larger impact can compromise the panel’s protective coating or create a puncture.
• Scratches: Debris scraping across the surface can scratch the protective finish of the metal panels. This can expose the underlying metal to the elements, leading to rust and corrosion over time.

For Tile Roofs (Clay or Concrete)

Tile roofs are heavy and generally perform well in wind, but they can be brittle.

• Missing or Slipped Tiles: Scan the roof for any gaps in the pattern of the tiles. A tile that has slipped out of place can expose the underlayment.
• Cracked or Chipped Tiles: This is the most common form of damage and is almost always caused by flying debris. Look carefully at individual tiles for cracks, which can be difficult to see from the ground. A cracked tile will allow water to get through to the underlayment.
• Loose Debris in Valleys: Look in the “valleys” of the roof (where two slopes meet) for pieces of broken tile that may have collected there.

 

Hidden Dangers: What You Can’t See from the Ground

While a ground inspection can reveal a lot, some of the most common types of wind damage are invisible from a distance. This is why a professional inspection is so crucial.

• Broken Seals: As mentioned, a shingle can have its seal broken by wind uplift and then lay back down perfectly flat. It looks undamaged, but it is now a loose flap that will allow water underneath. A professional roofer can gently lift shingles to check if the seals are intact.
• Micro-fractures and Hail Hits: Small hailstones that often accompany windy storms can create tiny cracks or “bruises” on asphalt shingles. These impacts compromise the shingle’s integrity but are often invisible from the ground.
• Damaged Underlayment: If shingles are missing for even a short period, the exposed underlayment (the black paper or synthetic layer) can be torn or damaged by wind and sun. This secondary layer of protection needs to be in perfect condition.
• Compromised Flashing: Wind can loosen the metal flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents. The damage may be as subtle as a sealant strip that has been pulled away, but this creates a direct path for water to enter your home.

 

What to Do When You Spot Wind Damage

Finding roof damage can be stressful, but following a clear plan will help you manage the situation effectively and prevent further problems.

1. Document Everything Immediately

Before you make any phone calls or attempt any cleanup, document the damage thoroughly. This evidence will be essential for your insurance claim.

• Take Photos and Videos: Use your smartphone to take numerous photos from different angles. Capture wide shots to show the overall context of the damage and close-up shots of specific issues like missing shingles, creases, or impact marks. If you found roofing materials in your yard, photograph them as well.
• Write It Down: Make a list of all the damage you observed. Note the date and time of the storm and your inspection. The more detailed your records, the better.

2. Contact a Reputable Roofing Contractor

Your next call should be to a trusted, local roofing company like HW Roofing.

• Request an Inspection: Explain that you’ve had a storm and have observed signs of wind damage. Schedule a professional inspection. This is critical because a professional can safely get on the roof to confirm your findings and identify any hidden damage you missed.
• Arrange for Emergency Repairs: If you have a severe problem, such as a large number of missing shingles or an active leak, ask for an emergency tarping service. This temporary fix will protect your home from further water damage while you wait for permanent repairs. Timely and professional roof repairs are key to minimizing the overall damage.

3. Call Your Homeowner’s Insurance Company

With your initial documentation and a professional assessment either complete or scheduled, it’s time to contact your insurance provider to start the claims process.

• Initiate the Claim: Inform your agent about the damage and the date of the storm. They will assign a claim number and an adjuster to your case.
• Schedule the Adjuster’s Visit: Your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. It is highly advisable to have your chosen roofing contractor present during the adjuster’s inspection. Your roofer can act as your advocate, pointing out all the damage they found and ensuring the adjuster’s assessment is fair and comprehensive.

 

Choosing the Right Partner for Your Repairs

After a major storm, be wary of “storm chasers”—out-of-town roofing companies that flood an area looking for quick work. They often perform substandard repairs and are gone when problems arise later. Always choose a local, licensed, and insured contractor with a long-standing reputation in the community. Check their previous work in their online gallery and look for local reviews.

 

Don’t Let Wind Damage Go Unchecked

The wind from a storm can be a quiet destroyer, leaving behind damage that compromises your roof’s ability to protect your home. By learning how to spot the signs of trouble—from missing shingles and creases to the less obvious evidence on the ground—you can take control of the situation quickly.

A prompt and thorough inspection after every major wind event is a homeowner’s best practice. Remember to prioritize your safety by inspecting from the ground and leaving the hands-on assessment to the professionals. Documenting any issues you find and contacting a reputable roofer are the most important steps toward a swift and successful recovery.

If you suspect your roof has sustained wind damage or it’s simply time for a post-storm check-up, don’t wait for a leak to confirm your fears. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation inspection. Our expert team will provide a thorough and honest assessment to ensure your home remains safe and secure, no matter what the weather brings.