3 Ways of Assessing Wind Damage To Asphalt Roof Shingles

Considering the high winds we’ve experienced in Toronto and the GTA recently, it might be wise for homeowners to learn more about assessing wind damage to asphalt roof shingles. 

The main benefit of assessing shingle damage is in helping you decide whether you need a new asphalt shingle roof installation, or if you can save money with a roof repair. 

How to Assess Types of Damage to Asphalt Shingles

Your roof can sustain damage in a variety of weather conditions, from winter’s ice to summer’s high temperatures. But wind pressure can be the weather event that’s most damaging to the roof, not just due to wind-lifted shingles, but also due to damage from wind-borne debris, like tree branches.

You should inspect your roof for signs of wind damage after storms or periods of strong wind. But before you decide whether to repair the roof yourself, get professional roof repair or completely replace your roof, you can assess the damage in the following ways. 

1. The Location of the Damage – Missing shingles generally need more immediate attention because it can result in a roof leak. But it’s easier to replace a couple missing shingles located along the perimeter of the roof versus a number of missing shingles along the roof’s ridges.
2. The Type of Wind Damage – Wind can damage your asphalt shingles in many ways. Following a wind storm, you might notice curled, lifted, cracked or missing shingles. A few curled shingles may not be cause for alarm and they may correct themselves over time, especially in summer’s heat.
   
   But curled shingles are more susceptible to wind resistance. If one storm follows another, your curled shingles are more likely to suffer further damage.
3. The Extent of the Damage – Obviously, if half your shingles are gone, you should call a professional. But even in cases when the extent of the wind damage may not be so apparent, you can spot signs that its worse than it looks.
   
   It’s difficult to assess the damage by only doing a roof inspection from the ground. But getting onto a ladder and roof is dangerous, especially in the aftermath of a storm. Regardless of how good the roof looks from the ground, inspect the ground all around the house for pieces of shingles, or even entire shingles.   

Of course, nothing beats an assessment done by a professional. Contact our team here at Chouinard Bros. to arrange for one of our Roof Experts to inspect your roof and make the repairs with the proper materials.

If you found this article helpful, check out our recent post “Should I Repair or Replace My Roof?”.