Damage from high winds is often a serious problem for homes in Houston. As experts when it comes to roofing repair in Sugar Land, TX and the surrounding areas, we understand the importance of fast and effective repairs to wind-damaged roofs.
Unfortunately, people often ignore wind damage because it isn’t as immediately obvious the way damage from hail, fire, and larger collisions (like falling trees) is. In this post, we’re going to look at the ways high winds can harm your roof and shorten its service life.
The Wind vs. Your Roof
Shingle Damage
We can experience winds up to 130 mph in the Houston area. Shingles are particularly vulnerable to these powerful gusts, which can lift or dislodge them. Loss of shingles weakens the protection a roof provides and allows water to seep down into the underlayment, where it will cause serious damage and permit water to leak into the home. Fewer shingles means a house with reduced water resistance! Winds also remove granules from shingles, leaving them more vulnerable to UV radiation and premature aging.
Water Damage
Wind often comes with heavy rainfall, and the combination can easily infiltrate the vulnerable parts of your home. There’s also the problem of wind-driven rain, which can enter through the gaps left by shingles that are loose or lifted. Wind simply makes it easier for water to damage your roof.
Structural Damage
Damage to shingles and water leaks are the most obvious effects of strong winds on a roof. Less obvious but perhaps even more damaging is the threat to the structural integrity of the roof. Not only is there the danger of water infiltration into the roof deck that will weaken its support, there’s also the force that winds exert against the roof. This force can weaken support, damage rafters, and may even lift up part of the roof deck. And yes, it is possible in hurricane-strength winds to have the upper layer of the roof torn off entirely. The faster you deal with wind damage, the less structural damage your roof will suffer.
Timely Roof Repairs
Time is critical for roof repairs. This isn’t a job you want to wait on just to see “if it’s really that bad.” If you see damage to shingles or gutters, arrange for a roof inspection with our team right away. A shingle displacement may seem minor, but it leaves a gap of protection in the roof that can lead to a much larger problem if it’s not addressed. Think of the wind as an attacker that has tried to breach the defenses of your “castle.” You don’t want to leave any defenses weakened! Your roof is one of your home’s most vital defenses, and you don’t want it left susceptible to weather damage in the future.
When you call on our team to inspect for storm damage and handle any necessary repairs, you’ll prevent a domino effect of deterioration. Fast repairs also help you save money in the long-run: small, cost-effective repairs will prevent larger repairs later, such as an early roof replacement due to extreme structural damage and water infiltration.