Your Roof vs. Wind

Wind. A gentle breeze in the summertime may feel calm and welcoming, but once the wind speed increases, so does the damage it can cause to your home and your roof.

Strong winds and storms can cause everything from falling branches and uprooted trees to torn-down power lines and ripped-off shingles. Roofs are especially susceptible to gusts and wind damage because the wind doesn't hit the roof uniformly; it tends to damage the edges of the roof or areas that are already loose. Eventually, after prolonged wind damage, your roof can start to leak and rot due to water exposure.

Your Roof vs. Wind: Wind Speed Levels

We know wind can be dangerous at high speeds, but what kind of speeds are we talking about? The average wind speed in the US is 6-12 mph; when it hits 45mph, that's when you start getting strong-wind warnings.

45-57 mph winds are not considered severe; however, tropical storm winds are anywhere from 39-73 mph. They can tear down tree branches and limbs, damaging shingles that were already loose or compromised.

When the winds hit speeds of 58-74 mph, shallow-rooted trees can be torn down or uprooted, and loose shingles will be sure to rip off the roof. This is when wind damage starts to become severe and can rip off shingles in GOOD condition and cause chimney issues.

Sustained winds of 74-96 mph are category 1 hurricane-force winds and can cause larger branches to fall from old trees, flipped cars and mobile homes, as well as severe roof damage.

96-110 mph wind speeds are considered part of a category 2 hurricane and can damage your roof significantly. Large trees will fall, and even well-constructed homes can sustain significant roof and siding damage, with flying debris at this level being lethal.

Category 3 hurricanes have winds from 111-129 mph, and you may very well have to repair or even replace your roof, siding, and gutters. Category 4 hurricane winds of 130-156 mph require evacuation, and your home will take significant structural damage. At category 5 winds speeds of 15 7mph or higher, you may not have to worry about having a roof anymore...

Your Roof vs. Wind: After the Wind Hits

After high winds hit, the best thing to do is check outside for damage AFTER the windstorm has passed. Check your roof for damage and clean debris from your roof and yard if you can. Leaks or discoloration on the inside of your home can also be evidence of wind damage. After high winds, it's also best to file an insurance claim.

Other signs of wind damage include loose or missing shingles, chimney issues, curling or peeling shingles, granule loss, damaged soffit or fascia boards, and indoor leaks. The edges and other pressure points of the roof are more likely to sustain damage from the wind, so those are areas you want to pay special attention to.

Your Roof vs. Wind: What you can do 

If you want to optimize your roof for high winds, you will want to start with the roof deck. The decking needs to be healthy and sturdy, with high-quality fasteners to ensure they stay in place.

The quality of the shingles is the next step in protecting your roof from high-speed winds. IKO uses ArmourZone tape on the underside of their shingles to help resist suction from high-level winds. IKO's Dynasty performance shingles are also built to withstand high winds and even carry a high-wind warranty coverage for winds up to 130mph! IKO Nordic performance shingles boast the same wind resistance and also allow for a reduction in residential insurance premiums. If your shingles do fall off, we also use Ice & Water underlayment beneath all your shingles to protect the decking from water damage if your shingles fail.

Put a Klaus on your House

If you're worried that your roof can't handle the next wind storm, or if you are already noticing signs of wind or storm damage, schedule your FREE estimate with us today. It's never too late, and we're always here to help!

Your Roof vs. Wind: Interesting facts

• The strongest winds in the solar system are on Neptune, where they reach speeds of over 1,300mph.
• Wind energy was first developed with windmills in 200 BC in Persia and China.
• The strongest per-hour wind speed recorded (outside of a tornado) was a wind gust of 253 mph on April 10th, 1996, on Barrow Island, Australia.
• Wind speed can be measured in miles per hour, knots, or feet per second.
  
• A single wind turbine can power 500 homes.
• The doldrums is an area in the sea where the northeast and southeast tradewinds converge and cause little to no wind in the area, often stranding sailors.