Posted on March 25, 2013 at 8:16 AM

10 Things to check after high winds

Certain parts of the country face regular high wind events. Ranging from moderate gusts to sustained winds, any high winds can bring havoc to your home’s roof.

Most roof systems, if installed properly, are built to easily withstand common wind events, sustaining little to no damage. However, it’s usually the less obvious cracked, missing or damaged roof tile or shingle that causes homeowners the biggest problems with the next rainstorm. Poor workmanship from a previous roofing contractor and flying debris are the two leading causes of roof, skylight and gutter damage in a high wind event.

Once winds have passed, we encourage every homeowner to safely walk their property front to back and inspect their roof, ensuring that nothing is out of place and there is no visible damage to be seen on the roof or gutter systems.

Pay attention to the details and keep a lookout for anything that seems amiss. In particular, we recommend looking for these 10 things:

1. Missing or loose roofing tiles or roofing shingles

2. Missing or loose ridge caps and vents

3. Dislodged, loose or clogged gutters

4. Debris that has been blown onto the roof or damaged tree limbs that could possibly fall on the roof and cause future damage

5. Check vent covers to ensure that nothing has been blown off or damaged

6. Inspect skylights and/or solar tubes to ensure they’re not cracked from falling or blown debris

7. Check the attic space for any telltale signs of roof damage, such as daylight shining through

8. Inspect any roof-mounted AC units to ensure no damage was done to the unit or its water lines from flying debris

9. If you have solar panels mounted on your roof, check them for damage and remove any accumulated debris that may shade them, diminishing power output

10. If your home features a flat roof, make sure all your roof drains are free and clear of any debris that may have blown into them.

We always recommend that you hire a licensed, qualified roofing company to complete any roof repair work, particularly if you are uncomfortable with the dangers associated with working on a sloped roof or unfamiliar with roofing materials.