Should Shingles Flap In The Wind?

Your roof shingles should never "flap in the wind." Wind-damaged (or wind-lifted) shingles invite rain into your home. Up close, you can see when a line of granule loss at the shingle base has lost adhesion.… More. It's better to prevent interior water damage before it's severe (or mold sets in!)

High winds can damage your shingles without tearing them off entirely. If a shingle comes unsealed and starts flapping in the wind, you may see horizontal creases on it, indicating it has been unsealed and damaged by flexing. You should also look for other signs of aging, such as warping.

How do you fix a flapping shingle roof? As for the flapping shingles, the glue that used to hold them down wore off, or didn't take hold if they were installed in cold weather. The cure is to lift them a bit and put three or four dabs of roofing cement under the bottom edge, up about an inch or two.

In addition, high winds can “lift” shingles without removing them. Most often, this is caused by suction from the wind passing over the top of the shingles, rather than getting under them. In this case, your roof may look intact from the ground. But all the while, water is seeping underneath the loose, lifted shingles.

Roof shingles usually can tolerate up to 60 mile per hour winds but it depends on the series of the shingle for high wind ratings. However, if you live in a tornado or hurricane-prone area, you may want to go for a metal roof that can combat winds up to 140 miles per hour.

Potential signs of wind damage:

Missing shingles. Thin horizontal lines where granules have been worn off about 1-2 inches beneath the shingle above; this could indicate that the shingle seal was broken and the shingle was flapping in the wind rubbing against the shingle above it.

How much wind can shingles take?
Roof shingles usually can tolerate up to 60 mile per hour winds but it depends on the series of the shingle for high wind ratings. However, if you live in a tornado or hurricane-prone area, you may want to go for a metal roof that can combat winds up to 140 miles per hour.

Signs of wind damage on a roof include loose or missing shingles, chimney issues, curling or peeling shingles, granule loss, damaged soffit or fascia and indoor leaks. High winds can also cause tree branches to fall and damage a roof.

Is roof damage by wind covered by insurance?

Yes, as noted above, homeowners insurance typically covers most types of wind damage. Usually, the dwelling coverage of your homeowners policy will help pay to repair or replace damage to the roof, siding or windows due to a wind event.

Is roof damage by wind covered by insurance?
Yes, homeowners insurance typically covers most types of wind damage. Usually, the dwelling coverage of your homeowners policy will help pay to repair or replace damage to the roof, siding or windows due to a wind event.

Can 40 mph winds cause roof damage?

High winds begin at a sustained 40 mph or 50 mph gusts. Even with hours of howling winds, those gusts do not hit your rooftop at an even rate. The corners, angles, and ridge are all equally susceptible to wind damage, such as curling, ripping, tearing, and lifting shingles away from the roof.

Related Reading:

• Five Most Popular Roof Shingle Colors for 2024
• What Are the Different Types of Roof Shingles?