Kansas City is no stranger to extreme weather, which can take a toll on your roof. While most people are familiar with the damage hail can do to their roof, many don’t realize that wind can do as much, if not more, damage as hail. Wind is one the primary causes of roof damage. But it is not always easy to spot. Your roof may look fine from the ground, but it is still possible to have severe damage to your roof even if no shingles are missing.

Your roof is designed to withstand certain wind loads, but some storms here in the Kansas City area can produce excessive wind speeds that are more than your roof can resist. Wind starts causing problems when it begins moving roofing materials, including the shingles and membrane. The wind can lift the shingles and break the sealing strip. After the storm is over, the shingles will lay back down and look like normal even though the seal has been compromised. The sealing strip is critical to the integrity, functionality, and longevity of your roof. Once it has been broken, leaking is likely to begin within a year, making it imperative to find and repair the damage before leaking starts.

Some signs that your roof may have been damaged by wind include:

  • Missing shingles
  • Torn or curled shingles
  • Loose shingles
  • Broken shingle seals
  • Exposed nails
  • Debris on the roof or in the gutters
  • Leaks in the roof

Often, only a portion of your roof may be damaged, while other sections may be relatively untouched. This is because the roof is not impacted uniformly by wind. Some areas will experience higher pressures than others. The corners and edges of the roof are especially vulnerable to wind damage as the wind exerts a higher pressure in these areas than in the center of the roof.

Your roof can also be damaged by debris, such as tree limbs, blown around your roof by wind. This can actually cause the most severe damage. Debris can cut and puncture the roofing materials, as well as clog drains and downspouts, which can cause problems later.

If you suspect wind damage or have recently experienced a storm with strong winds, you should have your roof inspected by a reputable roofing contractor, like Pyramid Roofing, immediately.