Do I Need Wind Damage Roof Replacement?

The trend in recent years of higher than average wind speeds seems to be continuing this year in Toronto and the GTA. As a homeowner, if your roof has suffered due to the weather, you might be wondering if and when you might need wind damage roof replacement.

If there is a positive side to suffering roof damage due to strong winds, it is that most home insurance coverage in Ontario covers interior damage due to high winds. This can include the cost of repairing or replacing damage that occured due to flying debris and water damage that might come from a roof leak that results from the wind damage.

How to Tell if You Need Wind Damage Roof Replacement

In a way, roof repair and roof replacement both involve replacing asphalt shingles on your roof. A roof repair usually means replacing some of the shingles on your roof, and a roof replacement means replacing all the shingles. Determining which one you need is not as straightforward as it might first seem. 

1. How Old is Your Roof? – If the only damage to your roof is a couple of missing shingles, then a good roof repair should be all you need. But if your roof is 10 or more years old, it may be worth considering a full roof replacement. As it ages, your roof will suffer more damage at lower wind speeds, leaving you more vulnerable to leaks.
2. Missing Shingles Might Not Be All That’s Wrong – Unless you do a full roof inspection, it is impossible to tell if a couple of missing shingles are the extent of the damage. High winds can lift shingles without actually blowing them off the roof. The rain that often accompanies strong winds can get underneath raised shingles and cause water damage inside the home. High winds don’t just loosen shingles — they have the potential to pull loose vent covers from the roof as well which leaves an exposed hole right into your attic!
3. Are There Other Signs of Wear & Tear – Repeated high winds, like those we’ve endured here in Toronto and the GTA in recent years, can cause cumulative wear and tear damage, even to newer roofs. While shingles may not need replacement, and no other damage seems apparent, your roof may suffer wear and tear including granule loss or curling edges to the extent that it may need to be replaced sooner than expected.  

If you enjoyed this post, please check out our recent article about the best roofing materials for the Canadian climate.