While you can improve your house and property all you’d like, homeowners everywhere know there is one unpredictable factor in maintaining your home – the weather. Whether your home has suffered damage from flooding, heavy rains, hail, or powerful windstorms, you know the physical toll it can take on your investment. High-speed winds can wreak havoc on our homes, especially our roofs. Asphalt shingles, commonly used for roofing in Washington state, are susceptible to wind damage.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the causes and early signs of wind damaged shingles and the step-by-step solutions you can take. We will also introduce you to an innovative solution – Roof Maxx treatment – that can add years of life to your roof and enhance its ability to withstand the most brutal windstorms.
How Does Wind Damage My Asphalt Shingles?
As homeowners, it is crucial to understand the causes of wind damage to your roof. Wind damage to asphalt shingles typically occurs due to high wind speeds. Strong gusts of wind can lift and tear shingles, leaving holes or weak spots in your roof and exposing it to further damage. Over time, your asphalt shingles can become brittle, making them even more susceptible to this damage. Shoddy or improper installation can also leave newer shingles vulnerable to wind uplift. Likewise, neglecting regular maintenance and repairs to minor issues can result in loose shingles, which increases the risk of wind damage.
Early Signs of Wind Damaged Shingles
Recognizing the early signs of wind damage is essential to address your issues promptly. One of the first indicators of wind damage on your roof is apparent gaps or missing shingles. Shingles that appear lifted or have lost their adhesive seal have also likely been damaged by wind or could be damaged further in the next storm. Warped shingles have also likely been damaged by the wind – if you see shingles that have curled upward, this is a sign of significant damage. If you are close enough to your roof, you can spot damage by checking the asphalt granules. Wind can strip away the protective granules on shingles, which leaves them vulnerable to further deterioration.
Repairing Wind Damaged Asphalt Shingles
When wind damage occurs, you want to address it promptly before minor problems turn into structural damage. Here’s a step-by-step guide to repairing wind damaged asphalt shingles:
1. Safety Precautions and Tools
Safety should be your top priority before beginning roofing work. Ensure you have the proper tools and materials, including a safety harness and appropriate footwear, a ladder with stabilizers, roofing nails, a hammer, matching replacement shingles, roofing adhesive or sealant, a utility knife, and a pry bar for shingle removal.
2. Assessment of Damage
Carefully inspect your roof to identify the extent of the damage – any holes or gaps must be filled, and broken, cracked, curling, or warped shingles will need to be replaced. Mark the damaged shingles for replacement.
3. Remove Damaged Shingles
Gently lift the shingles surrounding the damaged area using the pry bar. You must remove damaged shingles without affecting adjacent ones, so conduct this step carefully!
4. Install New Shingles
Replace the damaged shingles with new ones that match your existing roof. They must fit snugly into place and align with the surrounding shingles. Secure the new materials with roofing nails.
5. Seal the Roof
Finally, apply roofing adhesive or sealant under the lifted shingles to ensure they adhere securely to the roof deck. Use pressure on the shingles to create a strong bond. This reinforces the new roof to ensure it withstands future windstorms without sustaining damage.
Pro Tip: DIYing shingle repair isn’t appropriate for most homeowners, and it is likely to void the warranty on your roof. Suppose you are at all hesitant in the repair process, your roof warranty, or your safety in navigating a roof. In that case, it is wise to call in the professionals to take care of it for you and ensure a high-quality, safe, and appropriate fix.
What Is Roof Maxx Treatment?
Now you know how to repair your roof, let’s discover an innovative solution that can significantly extend the life of your roof – Roof Maxx treatment. Roof Maxx is a cutting-edge, eco-friendly solution designed to rejuvenate your asphalt shingles. This plant-based product restores the essential oils in asphalt shingles that older roofs have lost. The formula penetrates the shingles, bringing back their flexibility and durability. This effectively reverses aging and revitalizes your roof for up to five years per application. Roof Maxx treatment is especially effective in strengthening roofs to prevent further damage.
The Benefits of Roof Maxx for Wind Damaged Shingles
Roof Maxx offers a range of benefits, especially for roofs that have suffered wind damage:
1. Enhanced Wind Resistance
The rejuvenation treatment makes your shingles more flexible, making them less likely to break, chip, crack, curl, or blow away entirely. This increased flexibility improves their resistance to wind uplift.
2. Cost Effective Solution
Roof Maxx treatment is a cost-effective alternative to premature roof replacement. Some roofing companies will advise you to replace your entire roof when you suffer wind damage. However, rejuvenation can add up to 15 years of life to your existing shingles for a fraction of the price of a new roof.
3. Good for the Environment
Extending the lifespan of your roof helps reduce waste and environmental impact associated with roof replacements. Choosing roof rejuvenation is an effort of sustainability; you don’t discard the old roofing materials or add to your carbon footprint by buying new products.
4. Increased Energy Efficiency
A well-maintained roof can improve your home’s energy efficiency. This environmentally friendly move will save you money on heating and cooling!
5. A Longer Lifespan
Roof Maxx treatment isn’t just a temporary fix; it is a long-term solution to wind damaged shingles that can prevent future damage for years to come. The treatment can add years to the life of your roof, ensuring it continues to protect your home.
The Importance of Periodic Roof Inspections
Prevention is always better than the cure. After a heavy wind storm, scheduling a professional roof inspection is crucial. Wind damage isn’t always visible from the ground; a trained eye can get on your roof and detect subtle issues that could lead to more significant problems if left unaddressed. Identifying and repairing this damage can prevent it from escalating into more severe cases, saving money and hassle in the long run. A professional inspection report can be invaluable when you file an insurance claim.
Asphalt shingles are vulnerable to wind damage, and homeowners must schedule periodic roof inspections. It is crucial to know how to identify the early signs and causes of wear and how to repair it. Subsequently, Roof Maxx treatment is a remarkable and sustainable resource that can help extend the life of your roof and protect it from future wind damage.
How Roof Maxx of Tri-Cities and Walla Walla Can Help
Wind damage doesn’t mean you need a total roof replacement. You can repair your asphalt shingles and extend their lifespan with the Roof Maxx treatment, and Roof Maxx of Tri-Cities is here to help! Our team of professionals has years of experience repairing wind damaged shingles and applying roof rejuvenation treatments to damaged homes. Check out our testimonials and contact Roof Maxx of Tri-Cities and Walla Walla for a consultation today to start your roof repair journey!
