Wind lifts shingles at the edges and the ridge, bends flashing and gutters, and can open a skylight or a vent seal. In Utica the check after a windstorm starts with photographs from the ground, before any cleanup, and then looks at the exposed slopes, the flashing and the attic. The record is written so the homeowner has a clear account of what the wind did.
Key takeaways
- Wind lifts shingles first at the edges, corners and ridge, where the covering has the least weight holding it down.
- Flashing and gutters that are bent or pulled away are often visible from the ground, and they point to the roof edge.
- Photographs taken from the ground before cleanup are the most useful record of the storm's effect.
- The attic should be checked for new daylight and wet wood, since a wind opening can admit water without an obvious sign outside.
- Debris and fallen limbs are recorded before they are moved, and anything near a power line is left to the utility.
- A temporary cover can keep water out until the permanent repair is planned, and it should be placed from a safe position.
What does wind do to a roof covering?
Wind lifts the covering at the edges, corners and ridge, where the air pressure is highest and the shingles are least held down. Once a shingle lifts, it can tear, crack or be carried off in the next gust.
Wind pressure on a roof is greatest at the edges and corners, and it pulls upward on any covering that is not fully fastened. A shingle that has been weakened by age or a previous lift is the most likely to go, and the next storm then exposes the decking beneath it.
The exposed slopes take the most wind. On a house with open ground to the windward side, the first shingles to lift are often on that slope, and the inspection starts there.
Wind can also lift the metal at a ridge or a rake and leave a small gap that the next rain uses. The ridge and the rakes are checked from the ground for a line that has moved, and from the roof where it is safe.
Watch for the signs over the next few days as well. Wind damage that is not visible at once can show later as a stain, a loose piece of trim or a gap that opens as the weather changes, and a note of each new sign helps the technician follow the damage.
What can be seen from the ground after a windstorm?
From the ground, a homeowner can see bent gutters, pulled fascia, displaced ridge caps, missing shingles on the windward side and debris on the roof. These signs point to the parts of the roof that need a closer look.
Look for a gutter that has pulled away from the fascia, a downspout that is bent or displaced and a ridge cap that is out of line. Each of these can be photographed from the ground without climbing.
Note any shingle that is visibly missing, creased or lying in the gutter. Its position on the house helps the technician find the place it came from, and the note is more useful than a general description.
A photograph of the whole slope from across the street or the yard shows the pattern of the damage. Scattered lifts across the slope suggest the wind came from more than one direction, while a line of lifts along one edge suggests a single strong gust.
What should be photographed before the cleanup?
Photograph each side of the house from the ground, the gutters, the flashing and any damage inside, with the date and the time. Take the photographs before any debris is moved or any repair is made.
Wide photographs show the whole house and where each item sits. Close photographs show the detail of each item, and a scale object placed beside the damage makes the size clear.
Photograph any fallen limb or debris where it lies, and note whether it is on the roof, in the gutter or on the ground. Those notes are the start of the record the insurer or a technician will ask for.
When photographing a damaged gutter, include the brackets and the fascia behind it, since a bent bracket and a soft fascia tell the technician whether the gutter can be re-hung or the edge needs repair first.
Include the date and the time of each photograph, and keep the original files unedited. Editing a photograph can make it harder to rely on later, and the original files show the state of the roof on the day they were taken.
How should the attic be checked after a wind event?
The attic is checked for new daylight, wet wood, fresh staining and drips. A wind opening can admit water without an obvious sign outside, so the attic check is as important as the view from the ground.
Look for daylight near a vent, a flashing or a ridge, and for any wet area on the decking. Note whether the wet area is fresh, which shows as a dark, damp patch, or old, which shows as a dry stain.
Do not step between the joists in the attic, since the insulation hides the ceiling below. Use a light from the hatch, and let the technician do the closer inspection once the attic is safe to enter.
Check the skylight curbs and the vent seals from the ground and, where safe, from the roof. A seal that has been pulled or cracked by wind is a common cause of a leak that appears in the next rain, and the technician checks each one.
Is it safe to walk the roof after a windstorm?
Walking a roof after a windstorm is not safe until it has been checked for loose material, unstable sections and downed lines. A roof that has torn or sagging areas should be left to a technician with fall protection.
A torn shingle surface is slippery and unstable, and the decking can give way under a single step. A fall from a roof is one of the most serious injuries a homeowner can suffer.
If a limb is in contact with a power line, the homeowner should keep clear and call the utility. A limb that is clear of the wires and small enough to move may be handled from the ground, carefully.
If a shingle is lifted but not torn, the technician may be able to re-seal it and nail it back into place. A torn shingle has to be replaced, and the replacement is matched to the rest of the roof wherever a match is available.
Ask the crew whether the work will be done from the roof or from a lift, and how the surface will be made safe while the work is open. A plan for that step is part of a sound temporary cover and should be written into the record.
What temporary steps are reasonable after a wind opening?
Reasonable steps include a temporary cover over an opening, buckets under drips and moving belongings away from the water. These steps protect the house while the permanent repair is planned, and they should be recorded with dates and receipts.
A tarp must be fastened securely and checked after each rain, wind or snow. A tarp that comes loose can cause more damage to the decking and the shingles around it, so it should be checked promptly.
The homeowner should not climb onto the roof to place a cover. A technician places a tarp from a safe position, and the placement is photographed for the record.
Keep a copy of the temporary steps and their dates with the findings, so the record is complete. A tarp or a board in place for several weeks should be re-checked after each storm, and the check is recorded with the date.
When should a technician check the roof?
A technician should check the roof after a windstorm when the damage is visible, when water is coming in, when a shingle or flashing is missing, or when the storm has left debris or a limb on the roof. An early visit reduces the chance of a leak that grows over the next rain.
The visit records each item with its location and a photograph, and writes the findings so the homeowner has a clear account. A temporary cover can be arranged at the same visit if an opening needs it.
The findings are kept with the photographs. They can be shared with the homeowner's insurer if a claim is made, and the insurer decides what the homeowner's policy covers.
A technician can explain what the permanent repair will cover, and which items are recommended for later. The homeowner can then choose the order of the work, with the most urgent item done first and the rest scheduled over the year.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after a windstorm should I check the roof?
Check the ground-level signs as soon as the wind has stopped and it is safe to look. A roof walk waits until the surface is safe, and a temporary cover can be placed in the meantime if water is coming in.
Does a windstorm always damage a roof?
Not always. A sound roof with well-fastened covering can handle strong wind, but a weakened shingle or a loose flashing is more likely to lift in a storm.
Should I clear the debris before the inspection?
Photograph everything first, and do not move large or damaged material until it has been recorded. Small debris can be cleared from the gutters and the ground once the photographs are taken.
What if I can see no damage from the ground?
Many wind items are hidden under the shingles or in the attic. The attic check and a roof walk, where it is safe, often find what the ground view missed.
Will the insurer pay for wind damage?
Whether wind damage is covered is decided by the homeowner's policy and the insurer. A standard policy generally responds to sudden wind damage, but the wording of each policy decides the answer.
Can a windstorm report be used for a claim?
A dated report with photographs can be shared with the insurer. It records the damage and its location, and the insurer decides what the policy covers.
Does a windstorm affect the gutters and the downspouts too?
It can. Wind can bend a gutter, pull a downspout from its bracket or push debris into the outlet. The gutters and downspouts are checked on the same visit as the roof covering.
What should I do with a fallen branch on the roof?
Do not climb to remove it. Photograph it where it lies, keep people and pets clear, and call a technician or a qualified tree service. A branch touching a power line is for the utility to deal with.
This guide is general information for Oneida County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.