How can I tell from the ground whether wind damaged my roof?
Look for shingle pieces on the ground, ridge caps missing along the peak, shingles standing proud or ruffled near the edges, bent metal at the chimney, and gutters that have pulled away. Any of these is worth a call. A clean-looking roof from the street can still hide creased shingles.
Binoculars from the yard help more than people expect. Scan the ridge first, then the rake edges of gable ends, then the courses just above each eave. Wind lifts the shingle in front of the gust, so slopes facing the open side of your lot are more likely to show it.
Do not walk the roof to check. A wet or leaf-covered roof is slippery, and a lifted shingle can slide or snap under your weight. A roofer carries the right footwear, harness points and a ladder set against the gutter correctly.
- Scan the ridge line for gaps or dark strips
- Check the rake edges of gable ends for ruffling
- Look at the metal around chimneys and sidewalls
- Photograph every fallen piece where it landed
Why do shingles lift when the wind blows?
Asphalt shingles hold down with a factory sealant strip that warms and bonds in sun. When that bond is old, dusty or never fully formed, a gust gets under the tab and peels it back. A creased tab has been bent past its limit and usually needs replacing, not resealing.
A shingle is a layered mat coated with asphalt and granules, so folding it back stresses the mat just as bending a credit card does. The crease line often weakens the shingle even when it lies flat again. Granule loss along that line then lets sun and water attack the mat.
Older roofs lose sealing strength over years of heat and cold cycles, which is one reason wind damage shows up first on roofs that were already aging. Southeastern Pennsylvania roofs go through a freeze and thaw winter, and each swing works the shingles a little.
Will new shingles match the rest of my roof?
Often not perfectly. Shingles fade and lose granules as they age, and product lines change. A roofer can pick the closest available color and style, but a patch on a weathered roof may be visible for a while. Fresh shingles darken to blend a little over time.
If the roof is near the end of its life, asking the crew for an honest read is reasonable. A repair that keeps the roof dry for a few more seasons is a sound choice for some homes, and a poor one for others.
Ask the roofer to put the options in writing: repair now, repair a full slope, or replace. Having them side by side makes the decision yours rather than the storm's.
What do I do about a limb or tree on the roof?
Stay out from under it and keep people and pets away. Do not climb up or cut it yourself, since the weight may be resting on the structure. Call a tree service for the limb and a roofer for the damage underneath. If anyone is in danger, call 911 first.
The 2021 tornado put trees on homes at the Hidden Springs mobile home community just south of Souderton, a reminder of how wind and trees combine. A limb can hide a punctured deck, a cracked rafter, or a broken vent pipe under its weight.
Once the limb is removed, the roofer can see what is underneath and arrange covering for an opening. Photograph the limb in place before it is moved, so you have a record.
