Did You Know Wind Damage on a Roof May be Covered by Your Insurance?

Did You Know Wind Damage on a Roof May be Covered by Your Insurance? 

Your roof is a critical part of the structure of your house. It keeps your home, and everything inside, safe from the weather and it has to be in excellent condition at all times.

Don't wait until water is unexpectedly pouring into your home by way of a leaky roof. Start protecting your home by using some simple observation skills. If you find problems, it doesn't necessarily mean you need to replace your roof. Many repairs can be made before a major rebuild is necessary.

If you notice the following signs, you need your roof repaired:  

• Water leakage from attic or ceiling
• Water stains or sagging ceilings
• Broken, loose, or missing shingles
• Wet, dark spots in the wood
• Rusty metal on the sides of your house
• Dark patches on asphalt shingles
• Granule chunks flowing from rain gutters
• Cracked or bent metal flashing
• Dripping can be Heard  

Winds:

Wind is one of the most important factors manufacturers use when developing and testing new roofing systems. Basic wind speeds in the Continental U.S. can reach up to 85 miles per hour or higher. The American Society For Testing And Materials (ASTM) has set the standard for wind testing roofing products. The roofing system on your home or commercial property should meet the ASTM

Recent winds have exceeded the design limit of the shingles on many homes and may have caused permanent damage.  A quick, free inspection will tell if your roof integrity is compromised.  This type of damage is fully covered by nearly all insurance policies and needs to be addressed before leakage damages your home’s interior.

Regardless of whether your roof is brand new, or 20 years old, most insurance policies pay replacement value as long as there is direct physical damage to the roof (i.e. missing shingles).

Wind Damage on a Roof

Many shingles carry a wind resistance rating of 60 miles per hour as tested under ASTM 3161 or UL 997.  You can see the obvious damage, missing shingles.  What you can’t see is termed, seal failure.  Shingles have a glue strip between them. Many times, wind will lift the shingles and break the sealing strip during a storm. After the storm, the shingles simply lay back down in place – looking fine. If that sealing strip is compromised, then your roof likely needs to be replaced. This sealing strip is critically important to the integrity, functionality and longevity of your roof. If the sealing strip is compromised your roof will start leaking at some point, especially during a driving rain. That is why you need to have it examined immediately, before it starts leaking.

Wind Damage On a Roof May be Covered by Your Insurance talk to your insurance provider and get repair estimates from a reputable roofing company in your area