After the May 2025 derecho, we inspected 140 roofs in Richmond. About half the homeowners who called us had obvious damage. The other half weren't sure.

"It was really windy. Should I be worried about my roof?"

Good question. Here's how to know.

What Wind Actually Does to Roofs

Wind doesn't just blow shingles off (though that happens).

Wind damage patterns:

Uplift at edges and corners: Wind hits the windward side of your roof and creates negative pressure on the leeward side. This suction effect is strongest at roof edges, eaves, rakes, and corners.

That's why you see missing shingles in these areas first.

Progressive failure: One shingle lifts slightly, breaking the seal. Next storm, that shingle and its neighbors lift more. Eventually they tear free or fold back.

You might not notice after the first storm. By the third storm, you have visible damage.

Granule loss: High winds sandblast shingles with debris (dirt, leaves, small particles). This strips protective granules, especially on south and west-facing slopes that take direct weather.

Fastener pullout: Extreme winds can lift shingles enough that nails pull through the shingle material. The shingle might lay back down, but it's no longer properly secured.

From the Ground: What to Look For

Do this after any storm with sustained winds over 40 mph or gusts over 60 mph.

Walk your property's perimeter. Look up at:

Missing shingles:

Obvious gaps in the roof pattern
Exposed black underlayment
Visible nail heads or deck boards

Creased or folded shingles:

Shingles that bent in wind and didn't lay back flat
Visible fold lines across shingles
Corners or tabs sticking up

Shingles out of alignment:

Rows that aren't parallel anymore
Shingles shifted or slid out of position
Gaps between shingle courses

Debris damage:

Dents or dings from hail (usually circular)
Impact marks from tree branches
Punctures or tears

Check your yard:

Shingle pieces on the ground
Granules in gutters or downspouts
Roofing materials near downspouts

If you find any shingles in your yard, you have damage. Even if the roof looks fine from the ground.

The Binocular Inspection

Get binoculars. Seriously.

From the ground, inspect each roof section:

Ridge line:

Ridge caps missing or lifted
Gaps along the ridge
Color changes (indicating repair attempts or old damage)

Valleys:

Creased or torn valley shingles
Lifted edges along valley center
Exposed valley metal

Around vents and chimneys:

Lifted or damaged flashing
Gaps between flashing and shingles
Boot-style vent covers torn or missing

Edges:

Drip edge visible (shouldn't be)
Starter strip showing
Shingles overhanging too far or not far enough

Flat surfaces:

Random shingles darker than others (water exposure from lifted shingles)
Shiny spots (exposed asphalt where granules are gone)
Texture changes across the roof plane

Inside Your Home: Attic Inspection

Go into your attic with a bright flashlight within 48 hours of a windstorm.

Look for:

Daylight:

Pinholes of light through the roof deck
Larger gaps around vents or penetrations
Light along ridge line

Water stains:

Fresh stains (darker, wet-looking)
Old stains (lighter, dry)
Stains in new locations

Wet insulation:

Damp spots
Compressed areas
Discolored sections

Debris inside attic:

Leaves or twigs that blew in through gaps
Shingle granules
Water droplets on rafters

If you see daylight or fresh water, you have active damage.

Different Roof Types, Different Damage

Asphalt shingles:

Tabs torn off
Granule loss in traffic patterns
Lifted corners
Creased shingles that folded in wind

Metal roofing:

Fastener backup (screws lifting slightly)
Panel lifting at seams
Bent or creased panels
Scratches or dents (usually hail, not wind)

Tile (clay, concrete, slate):

Cracked tiles
Shifted tiles out of position
Broken corners
Lifted ridge caps

Flat/low-slope:

Membrane tears or punctures
Fastener pullout in seams
Flashing separation
Ponding water in new areas (indicates sag from wind stress)

Richmond Wind Patterns (What to Expect)

Central Virginia wind events:

Spring thunderstorms (March-May):

Straight-line winds 40-70 mph common
Occasional tornadoes
Winds typically from west or southwest

Summer storms (June-August):

Microbursts and downdrafts
50-80 mph gusts
Localized (one neighborhood damaged, next street fine)

Tropical systems (August-October):

Broader wind fields
Sustained winds 30-50 mph with higher gusts
Usually from east or southeast (unusual direction = unexpected damage patterns)

Winter storms (December-February):

Rare but severe when they occur
Often combined with ice loading
North and northwest winds

Which parts of your roof take the most wind:

South and west slopes (prevailing storm direction)
North and east slopes (suction during southwesterly winds)
Corners and edges always most vulnerable

When Wind Damage Isn't Obvious

Subtle damage shows up months later as leaks.

Hidden wind damage:

Sealant failure:

Shingles lifted just enough to break adhesive strip
Look normal from ground
Water infiltrates during next rain

Fastener backup:

Nails pulled up 1/8" - 1/4"
Shingle still in place
Creates pathway for water

Micro-tears in valley metal:

Small tears invisible from ground
Water wicks through during rain
Shows up as attic stain later

Flashing separation:

Wind lifts flashing slightly from surface
Gap isn't visible without close inspection
Water enters at penetrations

This is why we recommend professional inspection after major wind events, even if you don't see obvious damage.

Wind vs. Hail Damage (How to Tell the Difference)

Insurance companies care about this distinction.

Wind damage:

Missing shingles (torn off)
Creased or bent shingles
Directional pattern (damage on windward sides)
Debris impact (branches, airborne objects)

Hail damage:

Circular dents
Random distribution across entire roof
Granule loss in impact spots
No pattern related to wind direction

Combined wind + hail:

Dents on remaining shingles
Missing shingles in wind-vulnerable areas
Granule loss in random spots and high-wind zones

Many Richmond storms produce both. Document everything for insurance.

Documenting Wind Damage

Before calling contractor or insurance:

Photograph from ground:
- All four sides of house
- Close-ups of any visible damage
- Shingles or debris in yard
- Date-stamp if possible
Video walkthrough:
- Narrate what you're seeing
- Shows scope and distribution
- Helpful for insurance adjusters
Collect samples:
- Shingles from yard (put in bag, label with date and location)
- Don't climb on roof to retrieve more
Make notes:
- Storm date and time
- Wind speed if known (check weather reports)
- When damage was discovered
- Any leaks or interior damage
Check neighbors:
- Are other roofs damaged?
- Establishes storm severity
- Strengthens insurance claim

Insurance Claims for Wind Damage

Your policy likely covers:

Wind damage to shingles
Structural damage from falling trees/branches
Water damage resulting from wind-caused roof damage
Cost of temporary repairs (tarping)

Your policy likely doesn't cover:

Old damage discovered during wind event
Wear and tear
Pre-existing leaks
Cosmetic damage only (if roof still functions)

Filing process:

Call your insurance within 48-72 hours
- Report storm date and damage
- Get claim number
- Ask when adjuster will inspect
Get independent inspection
- Hire a roofer to assess damage
- Don't rely solely on adjuster's assessment
- Adjusters sometimes miss damage or underestimate scope
Adjuster inspection
- Be present if possible
- Point out all damage areas
- Ask questions about what's covered
- Get copy of adjuster's report
Review settlement offer
- Should cover materials and labor
- Minus your deductible
- If inadequate, you can negotiate
Make repairs
- Use licensed contractor
- Keep all receipts
- Document repairs with photos

We work with insurance claims daily. We can help you understand your adjuster's estimate and identify damage they might have missed.

DIY vs. Professional Inspection

You can assess:

Obvious missing shingles
Debris damage
Granules in gutters
Visible attic leaks

You need a professional for:

Fastener integrity
Subtle seal bond failures
Flashing condition
Structural assessment
Wind rating and code compliance
Determining repair vs. replacement

We offer free wind damage inspections. Takes 30-45 minutes. You get a written assessment and photos.

No obligation. If you don't have damage, we'll tell you. If you do, we'll explain your options.

Temporary Repairs After Wind Damage

If you have active leaks before contractor arrives:

DO:

Place buckets under leaks
Tarp damaged area if safe to do so
Move belongings away from leak areas
Document everything

DON'T:

Climb on wet or damaged roof yourself
Apply tar or sealants randomly
Nail down lifted shingles (makes proper repair harder)
Delay calling contractor

Emergency tarping: If you hire someone to tarp your roof:

Verify they're licensed and insured
Get price in writing beforehand
Typical emergency tarp: $300-800 depending on size and difficulty
Insurance usually reimburses

Avoid "storm chasers" who knock on doors after storms offering "free inspections" and emergency repairs. Many are scams.

When to Repair vs. Replace

Repair if:

Damage limited to small area (less than 15% of roof)
Roof is under 10 years old
Shingles are still manufactured (can match)
No underlying structural damage
Rest of roof in good condition

Replace if:

Damage covers 25%+ of roof area
Roof is 15+ years old
Can't match existing shingles
Structural damage present
Insurance settlement covers replacement
Multiple areas damaged

Sometimes insurance pays for full replacement even when repair is technically possible. This depends on your policy's "matching" clause and percentage of damage.

Prevention (For Next Time)

Reduce wind damage risk:

Proper installation:

6 nails per shingle (not 4)
High-wind rated shingles (130+ mph)
Sealed shingle tabs
Quality underlayment

Maintenance:

Replace damaged shingles promptly
Keep trees trimmed (10+ feet from roof)
Inspect and reseal lifted shingles annually
Maintain proper ventilation (reduces uplift)

Upgrades:

Impact-rated shingles (Class 4)
Enhanced fastening in high-wind zones
Metal roofing (superior wind resistance)

You can't prevent all wind damage. But proper installation and maintenance significantly reduce risk.

What We Find on Inspections

After a major wind event, we inspect 20-40 roofs per week.

Common findings:

No damage (40%):

Homeowner concerned but roof is fine
Peace of mind inspection

Minor damage (35%):

3-8 damaged shingles
Repair cost: $300-800
Insurance: Often below deductible, homeowner pays

Moderate damage (18%):

15-30 damaged shingles, flashing issues
Repair cost: $1,500-3,500
Insurance: Usually covers minus deductible

Major damage (7%):

Full replacement needed
Cost: $10,000-25,000
Insurance: Typically covers (if wind damage confirmed)

The worst wind damage we've seen in Richmond: June 2022 derecho. 85+ mph winds. Entire neighborhoods lost roofs. That was exceptional.

Most Richmond wind events cause isolated damage. But you won't know without inspection.

Call Us for Free Inspection

If you had a wind event and you're not sure about damage, call us.

Free inspection. No pressure. Honest assessment.

We'll tell you if you have damage, how extensive, and what your options are.

If your insurance should be involved, we'll help you understand the process.

If you just need a few shingles replaced, we'll give you a fair price.

And if your roof is fine, we'll tell you that too. No charge.

Richmond wind damage inspection: Call (804) 238-7837 or request inspection online.

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Available 24/7 for storm damage emergencies. Serving Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, and surrounding areas since 2010.

Wind Damage to Your Roof: How to Tell If You Have It (and What to Do)