Why wind damage starts at the edges
Wind does not press evenly on a roof. As it flows over the house it creates the strongest lifting force at the corners, along the eaves and rakes, and at the ridge — which is why the building code asks for more from the edges of a roof than the middle, and why storm damage so often shows up there first. Connecticut’s design wind speeds run from 115 to 129 mph depending on the town, higher along the shore. Every one of our town pages lists its own figure and the town’s recorded storm history from the National Weather Service.
What wind damage looks like
- Missing shingles, or patches where the underlayment or the black of the deck shows through.
- Creased shingles. A shingle that was lifted and folded back by the wind often carries a straight crease line across it where it bent, even if it settled back flat. The crease means its seal is broken.
- Lifted edges and tabs that no longer lie flat, especially along the eaves and rakes.
- Ridge caps lifted, loose or gone.
- Flashing pulled away from a chimney or wall.
- Shingles in the yard or the gutters — the simplest clue of all.
Once a shingle’s sealant bond has been broken by wind, it rarely bonds as well again, so a roof that survived one storm with lifted tabs is more likely to lose shingles in the next.
What hail damage looks like
Hail is less common in Connecticut than on the Plains, but it comes with summer thunderstorms, and Connecticut roofers write about it more than anyone else in the region. On asphalt shingles it leaves:
- Bruises — dark spots where the granules have been knocked off, often random and scattered rather than in a pattern.
- Soft spots where the shingle mat underneath has been fractured.
- Granules washed into the gutters and out of the downspouts after the storm.
The easiest place to see hail is not the roof at all. Dents in aluminum gutters, downspouts, roof vents, a metal mailbox or the hood of a car parked outside during the storm tell you hail of that size came through, and you can see all of them from the ground.
What age looks like instead
A roof that is wearing out tends to look worn everywhere, not in patches: shingles curling or cupping across whole slopes, granule loss that is heaviest on the sunniest side, cracking, and blistering. NRCA calls curling or splitting evidence of deterioration on an asphalt roof, and ARMA calls a residential roof over 20 years old a prime candidate for reroofing. Storm damage is usually patchy, sudden and new-looking; age is uniform and gradual. A roof can, of course, be both — old and storm-damaged — which is exactly when an honest inspection matters. See how long a roof lasts.
Trees and limbs
In a state this wooded, a lot of storm damage is not wind on the shingles but a branch on the roof. Look for scrapes, punctures and broken shingles under overhanging trees, and for limbs resting on the roof after a storm. A branch that has been rubbing the roof for years leaves a bare stripe of missing granules — that is wear, not a storm. See emergency roof repair if a tree has come down on the house.
How to check from the ground
- Walk around the house and look at each slope, from a distance and with binoculars if you have them. ARMA suggests looking from the ground or an upstairs window.
- Check the yard, the driveway and the gutters for shingles, pieces and granules.
- Look at the gutters, downspouts and roof vents for dents.
- Look along the eaves, rakes and ridge for anything lifted or missing.
- Check the ceilings and the attic for new stains.
- Photograph all of it, with the date. See roof insurance claims.
Do not climb onto the roof. NRCA and ARMA both tell homeowners to stay off it.
Why it is worth having it looked at
A few lifted shingles are a small repair now and an open door for water through the winter. Connecticut lets repairs of up to 25 percent of the roof covering in a calendar year go ahead without a permit, so storm damage caught early is often a quick job. Left until spring, the same damage can mean a wet deck and a much bigger one. Report damage through our storm damage page and we will come and look.
Not sure if it was the storm?
Free inspection, photographs of every mark, and a straight answer on what is storm damage and what is age.
Common questions about wind and hail damage
How can I tell if my roof has wind damage?
Look from the ground for missing shingles, lifted or creased tabs, loose ridge caps and flashing pulled away from walls or chimneys, especially along the edges and corners, and check the yard and gutters for shingle pieces.
What does hail damage look like on a shingle roof?
Dark, scattered bruises where granules were knocked off, soft spots in the shingle, and granules in the gutters. Dents in gutters, downspouts and roof vents are the easiest sign to see from the ground.
How do I know if it is storm damage or just an old roof?
Storm damage is usually patchy and sudden; age shows as curling, cracking and granule loss across whole slopes. A roof can be both, which is when an honest inspection matters most.
Why do shingles blow off at the edges first?
Wind creates its strongest lifting force at the corners, eaves, rakes and ridge of a roof, which is why storm damage so often starts there.
Does a creased shingle need replacing?
Usually. The crease means the wind lifted the shingle far enough to break its seal, and a broken seal rarely bonds as well again, so it is likely to lift or tear in the next storm.
Do I need a permit to repair storm damage?
Not for a small repair. Connecticut lets repairs of up to 25 percent of the roof covering in a calendar year go without a permit. A replacement needs one.