Your asphalt shingle roof is designed and built to protect your home from inclement weather and other natural forces. This means it’s an obvious target for certain unpredictable outdoor elements such as wind. Most roofs can withstand moderate to strong winds, but roofs sometimes suffer significant damage during severe weather. If this is the case and your area was recently hit by a fierce storm, don’t hesitate to have a professional roof repair expert make an inspection.
To learn more about the factors that affect your asphalt roof’s risk of wind damage, Expert Contracting explains what you need to know:
The Usual Factors
- Type of Shingles – In the roofing industry, shingles are classified into different categories based on their wind resistance. Class D shingles, for example, can withstand winds of up to 90 mph with hardly any damage.
- Roof Layout – Typically, pitched gable roofs that have higher slopes, longer gable lines and wider eave overhangs are more susceptible to wind pressure. On the other hand, aerodynamic, four-sided hip roofs are more resistant to wind damage.
- Nailing – The shingles must be nailed properly on the roof deck. An expert in roof replacement knows how many nails to use for each shingle and where to position them to make sure the shingles aren’t lifted by the wind. For example, each nail should have a diameter of at least ⅜ of an inch. Improper nailing leads to a weak roof, which then increases its risk of wind damage.
- Material – The roofing material determines how strong the roof is and how much the roof can withstand wind forces. The integrity of your asphalt shingles will only be as good as the quality of the other materials.
Telltale Signs of Wind Damage
Some types of wind damage are easy to spot. These include loose or missing shingles, mangled or missing pieces of flashing, areas of exposed underlayment where shingles were blown off, and even a hole caused by a fallen tree branch. But even if your roof looks mostly intact, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t suffered any damage. Make sure to have it inspected by a professional as soon as possible after severe weather.
Expert Contracting is one of the best roofing companies you can count on in the area. Call us today at (716) 572-7303 or fill out our contact form for more information. We serve residents in Hamburg, NY, and the surrounding areas.