How do I deal with a wind damaged roof?
The southernmost area of Texas is a prime location for hard, high winds coming in from the ocean and the north. From hurricanes to tornados, we get it all here, and in recent years, we’ve had our share of ice and snow too! But the most common call that insurance companies get is for wind damage roof repair claims. If you find yourself dealing with a wind damaged roof, you may be wondering what you should do. When you need wind damage roof repair in Rosenberg and Sugar Land, TX a company like Cinch Roofing can help you with many different things from getting the repair services you need to deal with the insurance claims process. We’ve put together some information here to help you learn more about the process of taking care of a wind damaged roof, but you can always give us a call if you need more information. Reach out at (832) 598-4245 if you’d like to speak to one of our professionals.
What is considered wind damage to a roof?
After a significant weather event, you should walk around your home and look for obvious signs of damage. When it comes to the roof, there are seven signs that your home may need wind damage roof repairs.
- Missing Granules from the Shingles: Like hailstones will knock off granules, and so will high winds. Granules are the sandpaper-like that is colored and what you see from the street. You don’t have to climb up on the roof to find this, simply use binoculars and inspect the gutter runs and downspouts, as well as the ground around the downspouts.
- Curled and Peeling Shingles: If you notice curled edges or peeling shingles, you should schedule an inspection with a professional roofing contractor for possible wind damage roof repairs. The shingles on a roof are needed to keep water out of the attic and house. If they are curled, peeling, or loose, the next rainstorm is going to get up under the shingles, make its way into the attic, and you’ll have a roof leak as well as other water damage.
- Missing Shingles: This is an obvious sign you might need wind damage roof repairs! Any missing shingle is a place that is susceptible to water damage, as well as more wind damage from shingles being completely ripped off.
- Cracks or Tears: Structures with a flat roof often have rubber roofing. Wind damage roof repairs are needed when you notice missing or torn rubber. Leaving this unaddressed will leave the roof susceptible to more of the roofing material being lifted up and torn off.
- Damaged Fascia or Soffit: Like shingles, the fascia and soffit are needed to keep water away from the roof and minimize the possibility of leaks. When the fascia and soffit are damaged, the roof of your home is open to critters entering the attic, water damage, and more.
- The Chimney: After a storm with strong wines, look at the chimney for possible signs of needing wind damage roof repair. If it appears to be crooked, there is probably missing flashing too which needs to be replaced to minimize roof leaks around the chimney.
- Indoor Indications: You won’t necessarily have water leaking through the ceiling right away, but that doesn’t mean it has started. Check all the walls, exterior and interior, for dampness. If you see paint buckling or peeling, this could be because there is water getting inside the walls and you probably need to file a wind damage roof repair claim with your insurance.
How fast does wind need to be to damage a roof?
While the wind itself can blow shingles and any metal flashing off your roof starting at 45 mph, significant wind damage roof repairs are frequently caused by falling branches or trees falling on the house. Winds that reach 75 mph and higher typically leave widespread damage across the area in catastrophic amounts. Winds of that speed have been known to rip partial or entire roofs off of houses, requiring more than wind-damage roof repair.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover shingles that have been blown off a roof?
All insurance companies have different coverages, and each homeowner policy they write is not the same, but, yes, in most cases, wind damage roof repairs, or replacements are covered. This can be damage caused by various types of weather including falling branches, trees, hailstorms, high winds, tornados, etc.
Every homeowner should review their policy once a year as a reminder of what is covered and how much the deductible will be. Your deductible and what the insurance company will pay are going to be based on whether you choose ACV (actual cash value) or RCV (replacement cash value) options.
ACV means your policy will pay the actual cash value of your loss. This amount can depreciate over time as your home ages. RCV means the insurance will pay for what it costs to replace the damaged property at what it costs at the current time. RCV policies will have a higher premium every month, but the payoff is worthwhile when it comes to the deductible and other expenses you could be paying out of pocket.
In Conclusion
No matter what type of insurance policy you have chosen, your primary concern should be getting your wind-damaged roof repaired sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the more damage is taking place, leaving your home and family susceptible to damage and danger. If you’ve found yourself in need of wind damage roof repair in Rosenberg and Sugar Land, TX or any nearby cities, the team at Cinch Roofing is always ready to provide you with the services you might need so reach out to us with any questions you might have. Call us at (832) 598-4245 today.
