After the east wind: storm damage repair in Vancouver, WA

Wind does its damage in a predictable order. It gets under the leading edge of a shingle, breaks the adhesive strip, and starts lifting the tab. After enough cycles, the tab creases, tears or blows off, and the next gust works on the row above it. Ridge caps, rake edges and eaves go first because wind hits them hardest. Storm damage repair means finding every spot that let go, not just the obvious ones.

After a big blow, we inspect the whole roof, with extra attention on the slopes facing the wind. We look for missing pieces, creased tabs, broken seals, lifted flashing and impact marks from limbs. Then we repair each area with matching materials and reseal tabs that lifted but did not tear. You get photos and a written list of what we found.

How wind actually damages a shingle roof

Composition shingles are held down by nails and a strip of adhesive that bonds each tab to the shingle below it. When wind flows over the roof, it creates lift, especially at edges and ridges. If the seal is weak from age, cold or dirt, the tab flexes. Each flex weakens the shingle at the nail line. Eventually the tab creases, which breaks the mat inside, and the next storm tears it off entirely.

The tricky part is that a creased tab can lie back down and look normal from the ground. It has lost its seal and its strength, so it will fail sooner, often in the next storm. That is why we lift and check tabs by hand on the windward slopes. Shingles that lifted but did not crease can often be resealed, which is cheaper and keeps more of the original roof.

What a storm damage inspection covers

We check more than the spots you can see from the yard. Wind damage often hides along the ridge, on rake edges and on slopes you cannot see from the street. We also look at gutters, vents, skylights and flashing, since storms bend metal and crack plastic. If a limb hit the roof, we check the decking from the attic for cracks or punctures. You get photos of each damaged area.

• Hand check of tabs on windward slopes
• Ridge caps, hips and rake edges
• Flashing at walls, chimneys and skylights
• Vents, pipe boots and gutters
• Attic check for impact or new leaks

Repair versus replacement after a storm

If wind damage is limited to a few areas and the rest of the roof is sound, targeted repair is usually the right call for the homeowner. We replace torn or creased shingles, reseal lifted tabs, replace damaged ridge caps and refasten flashing. The roof keeps doing its job, and you avoid paying for a full replacement before it is needed. Resealing also costs far less than replacing shingles one by one.

When damage is widespread, or when the shingles are old enough that seals are failing everywhere, repair gets harder to justify. Brittle shingles crack when we lift them to make repairs, and matching color on a faded roof gets tricky. In that case, we tell you, give you the repair price, and explain why replacement may be the better long-term spend. If insurance is involved, the adjuster's findings may also shape that decision.

Working with your insurer after a windstorm

Sudden wind damage is often covered by homeowner's insurance, while age-related wear usually is not. Adjusters look for clear signs of a storm event: torn tabs, creases, missing pieces, and damage concentrated on the windward side. We document all of that with photos and measurements. If your adjuster wants to meet on the roof, we can be there to point out what we found. The claim itself stays between you and your insurer.