How to Spot Wind Damage on a Florida Shingle Roof

Why Wind Damage Is Harder to See Than You Think

After a hurricane or severe thunderstorm, many Florida homeowners walk outside, look up at their roof, and see nothing obviously wrong. The shingles look intact. There are no obvious holes or missing sections. But wind damage is often subtle — and the consequences of missing it can be significant.

Wind lifts shingles from below, breaking the seal strip that holds them in place. Even if the shingle falls back down and looks normal from the ground, the seal is broken. Water can now get underneath during the next rain event, and the damage will progress from there.

Signs of Wind Damage to Look For

Missing shingles are the most obvious sign. If you can see bare roof deck or underlayment from the ground, you have wind damage that needs immediate attention. Even a single missing shingle creates a water entry point.

Lifted or curling shingles are a subtler sign. Look for shingles with edges that are raised, curled, or no longer lying flat. These shingles have lost their seal and are vulnerable to further wind damage and water infiltration.

Granule loss appears as bare, dark patches on shingles where the protective granule coating has been stripped away. You may also notice an unusual amount of granules in your gutters after a storm.

Damaged flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and roof edges is a common wind damage location. Flashing that is bent, lifted, or separated from the roof surface allows water to enter at these critical transition points.

Damaged or missing ridge cap shingles are a serious concern. The ridge cap runs along the peak of your roof and is particularly exposed to wind. Missing ridge cap shingles leave the most vulnerable part of your roof unprotected.

What to Do After a Storm

Do not go on your roof to inspect it yourself. Wet roofs are extremely dangerous, and walking on damaged shingles can worsen the damage. A licensed roofing contractor has the equipment and training to inspect safely.

Document what you can see from the ground with photos. Note the date and time of the storm and any visible damage. This documentation is valuable if you need to file an insurance claim.

Call a licensed roofing contractor for a professional inspection. A professional inspection includes a thorough examination of the entire roof surface, all penetrations, and the attic interior for signs of water entry. Alron Construction provides free storm damage inspections throughout Central Florida.

Contact your insurance company to report potential damage. In Florida, you generally have one year from the date of loss to file a hurricane claim and two years for other storm damage. Filing promptly protects your rights.

Florida Wind Zones and What They Mean for Your Roof

Florida is divided into wind speed zones that determine the minimum wind resistance requirements for roofing materials and installation methods. Coastal Brevard County, including Cocoa, Melbourne, Merritt Island, and barrier island communities, falls in higher wind zones than inland areas.

In these high-wind zones, roofing materials must be rated for higher wind speeds, and installation methods — including fastener patterns and adhesive requirements — are more stringent. A properly installed roof in a high-wind zone should be able to withstand the wind speeds typical for that area.

If your roof was installed before current wind codes were adopted, or if it was installed incorrectly, it may be more vulnerable to wind damage than a properly installed modern roof. A wind mitigation inspection can identify these vulnerabilities.