• By Liam Ridings
• In Blog
• Tags roof repairs

How to Identify and Prevent Roof Damage from High Winds

High winds can be one of the most harmful forms of weather for your roof, wreaking havoc on your roofing materials, gutters, and flashing. It’s important to identify damage early on to avoid costly roof repairs and protect your roof from destructive storms and high winds. In this article, roof experts from Vertec Roofing will discuss how to identify and prevent roof damage from high winds.

Will My Roof Make It Through a Storm?

Roofs are built to last, but high winds and storms can damage your roofing materials depending on their age, the quality of materials, the condition of the roof’s structure, and the strength of the winds. If you’re concerned about your roof’s ability to withstand a strong storm, it’s essential to assess any vulnerabilities and deal with them accordingly.

Identifying Roof Damage After a High Wind Event

After a high wind event or storm, it’s normal to be worried about your roof. Check your roof thoroughly for any signs of damage, both inside and outside.

External Inspection

During your external inspection, you should keep a lookout for the following signs of roof damage:

Missing or damaged shingles — High winds can lift, break, or tear away shingles. This can expose your roof and ceiling to water damage. To avoid extensive damage, look for areas with missing or damaged shingles and replace them immediately.

Damaged flashing — Flashing is used to seal joints on a roof and is typically made of plastic or metal. Keep an eye out for bent, loose, or missing flashing. Repair or replace damaged flashing immediately to keep your roof properly sealed.

Gutter and downspout damage — Gutters and downspouts can be dislodged or damaged by high winds or storms. When checking for damage, ensure your gutters are securely attached and free from dirt and debris.

Internal Inspection

While you may think the damage occurs outside your house, don’t forget to check the interior for these signs of roof damage:

Water stains on ceilings or walls — If you spot any stains or damp areas, you may have a leak in your roof caused by the storm. Examine walls and ceilings thoroughly to determine where the leak is coming from. Repair roof leaks immediately once you find them.

Leaks in the attic — If you have an attic, that’s the room that any roof leak will affect the most. Check your attic for excess moisture and leaks around vents, chimneys, and skylights.

Cracked or broken roof support — Inspect your roof’s support structure for signs of damage, like cracked or broken trusses or rafters, and repair or replace the damaged materials immediately.

How to Prevent Roof Damage from Storms

Even if you think your house is not at risk of damage from high winds, it’s important to take preventive measures to save on costly repairs if damage does occur.

Regular Roof Maintenance

Schedule regular roof inspections. Inspecting your roof can identify and address potential issues before they become extensive problems. Consult a professional roofer to ensure your roof is well-maintained and undertake repairs if recommended. During roof inspections and maintenance, it’s also important to clean your gutters and downspouts of debris to ensure that water can drain from your roof properly and efficiently.

Upgrade Your Roofing Material

If you’re concerned about the durability of your roof or have experienced roof damage from winds or storms, consider upgrading your roof with wind-resistant materials, such as:

• Metal

• Concrete

• Terracotta tiles

These materials are built for greater durability, higher resistance to strong winds, and protection during storms. Investing in high-quality roofing materials will increase your roof’s lifespan and ultimately save you money on your house.

To prevent damage in winds, it is also important to have the right roof fixings and to make sure the appropriate tie-downs have been applied.

Tie-downs are required in certain states or high wind areas (cyclone areas).

AS 1684.2 clause 9.6. 1, states that “continuity of tie-down shall be provided from the roof sheeting to the foundations”. For pitched coupled roofs, where there is net uplift that cannot be resisted by nominal nailing alone, the code requires specific tie-down fixings to be installed.

Strengthen Roof Connections

Check that your roof sheathing is fastened securely to the roof trusses and rafters — this is important in improving wind resistance. For extra support, reinforce your roof trusses and rafters with additional bracing or other hardware — this will increase your roof’s stability during high winds.

Proper Ventilation

An often-overlooked form of roof protection comes with sufficient ventilation. Proper ventilation in the form of ridge vents and off-ridge vents can improve your roof’s wind resistance. Air will flow through your attic and reduce the difference in pressure between the interior and exterior of your house.

Protect Roof from Winds and Storms with Vertec Roofing

Take the necessary steps and prevent costly damage to your roof from high winds and storms. While you can take preventive measures by yourself at home, it’s best to consult professional help. It’s your roof over your head — you want to make sure it stays that way. Vertec Roofing is a leading Australian expert in roof repairs and roof restoration. Contact us today for a free quote for your roof repairs. Our professional team can inspect and identify vulnerabilities in your roof and help you maintain, repair, clean, or replace your roof. Don’t wait for a storm to damage your roof — reach out to Vertec Roofing to gain peace of mind, knowing your roof is in good hands.