Are you concerned you may have wind damage on your roof due to a recent storm?
Are you seeking a safe way to identify damage on your roof?
As a homeowner in Myrtle Beach, it is important to be aware of how wind damage can appear on your roof. It is not always possible to identify issues from the ground and we certainly do not encourage you to get on your own roof. However, you may be able to notice some of the more obvious signs of wind damage from the ground.
At Linta Roofing our team is trained under the HAAG standard, which is the same standard as your insurance company. We can help you identify what your insurance company might consider insurable wind damage on your roof.
We will explain the signs of wind damage and what to do if you spot them on your roof.
To simply identify wind damage, we will break it down into two categories
- Missing shingles
- Wind-creased shingles
And explain the details of each.
Let’s take a look at how missing shingles are a sign of wind damage.
How Missing Shingles Indicate Wind Damage
Missing shingles would be a clear indicator that you have wind damage on your roof. If you have a lot of missing shingles, it may be easy to see from the ground.
It gets tricky when you may only be missing 1 or 2 shingles. Because shingles are designed to overlap, each shingle covers half of the one below it. The visible space between shingles may not be extremely noticeable in this scenario.
For example: If you have a dark-colored roof, the area where the shingle is missing may blend in. When the bottom part of your shingle is blown away by wind, there will still be shingle material underneath that will now be exposed.
One way to identify this is if you notice darker areas on your roof. Over time, the color of your shingles will become lighter due to sun exposure.
Because the original shingles that were exposed to the sun naturally lighten over time the underlying part of the asphalt would remain its original color. Once it is exposed to the sun, it is normally a darker color in comparison to the rest of the shingles around it.
Additionally, if you see underlayment (normally white or black in color) or plywood on your roof, this would indicate that shingles are missing. Not only that, but often homeowners find shingles in their yard. In this situation, even if you are not able to visibly locate where the shingles blew off, it is safest to have a roof inspector come so they can get on your roof and see where the shingles may have come from.
While missing shingles may seem like an obvious reason for roofing problems like leaking, wind-creased shingles can have the same impact, but they are a bit more difficult to detect.
Wind-creased Shingles May Be a More Subtle Sign of Wind Damage on Your Roof
Wind-creased shingles are the second type of wind-damaged shingles. These are more difficult to identify than missing shingles, as they lay flat so long as there are not any gusts of wind.
When the bottom part of the adhesive on a shingle becomes loose from wind, the shingle will flap during gusts of wind. This causes the shingle to lose rock granules, causing a visible crease line. This crease line is referred to as the pivot point, because it will continue to flap back and forth on this point until the shingle detaches from the roof.
Because these shingles lay flat when wind is not present, it can be quite confusing for you as a homeowner if you have an interior leak, but cannot visibly see any missing shingles.
There is a high likelihood that you may have wind-creased shingles if you see shingles flapping in strong winds. You should always contact a roofing expert if you are noticing an issue like this. Not only because a qualified roofer is trained to identify subtle issues, but also because it is very unsafe for you to get on your roof to verify something as faint as wind creases.
You can ensure your safety and the safety of your home by scheduling a roof inspection with a trusted roofing company in your area. A trusted local roofing company should be able to identify the issue and even help you through the insurance process for wind damage!
Navigate Wind Damage with a Trusted Roofing Company
When it comes to identifying storm damage on your roof, you may or may not be able to visibly see it from the ground.
This can be frustrating and at times leave you feeling quite overwhelmed.
Whether you can see missing shingles, have a leak, or suspect that your older roof may have accrued damage from a recent storm, you can always call for help. At Linta Roofing we are happy to inspect your roof for any possible wind damage. Not only that but in this situation, you may be eligible for an insurance claim, which we can help guide you through.
Your roof is one cohesive unit. One missing shingle is too many.
You can continue to protect your roof by seeking the right answers. And if you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Linta Roofing. We are here to help!
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