How Strong Winds Can Affect Your Roof

While many people are aware of the effects of strong winds, they might not realize that roofs are especially susceptible. High winds can cause shingles, tiles, and even metal roofing to loosen or break. In severe cases, winds can even tear a roof completely off. If you live in an area prone to high winds, it’s essential to understand the potential risks to your roof. Here are some key things to know about how strong winds can affect your roof.

Why Strong Winds Can Cause Roof Damage

Strong winds can seriously damage your roof if it’s not properly maintained. The faster and longer the winds blow, the greater the likelihood of damage—whether it’s from an immediate impact or the gradual wear and tear over time.

Roofs that aren’t well-maintained are particularly vulnerable, as winds can tear off tiles, bend flashing and gutters, or even bring down large branches onto your home. However, simple maintenance steps, like trimming trees around your property or keeping gutters clear, can significantly reduce the risk of major wind damage.

Types of Roof Damage Caused by Strong Winds

Strong winds are among the most damaging forces for a roof, causing damage in various ways. The most common form of wind damage is missing or broken shingles, which are torn off by powerful gusts. Wind-driven rain can also lead to leaks, exposing nails and ventilation, which may result in further complications as water seeps into the attic and walls.

Additionally, intense winds can put pressure on the roof framing system, potentially compromising the structural integrity of your property—something that should be carefully monitored.

After severe storms, it’s also important to check doors, windows, and siding, as they might have been affected by the wind.

How to Minimize the Impact of Strong Winds on Your Roof

Before storm season hits, make sure your roof is properly ventilated and in good condition to help prevent wind damage. Regularly check for loose shingles, damaged sealant around vents, and remove any debris trapped between layers of your roofing material. It’s also important to inspect your gutters and downspouts frequently, as clogged gutters can lead to water damage. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes or severe storms, consider additional reinforcement, such as installing metal strips along the roof edges or securing them with hurricane straps. Taking these preventative steps now can help you avoid costly repairs down the line.

What to Do if Strong Winds Damage Your Roof

If strong winds have caused damage to your roof, it’s crucial to act quickly. The first step is to contact a trusted, experienced roofing contractor who can assess the damage and recommend the best course of action. In the meantime, here are a few steps you can take to protect your property:

- Remove any loose branches and debris from your yard

- Ensure that the shingles are properly secured

- Regularly inspect the roof for potential issues

Ultimately, hiring a professional roofer will give you peace of mind, knowing your roof is secure and ready to withstand whatever the weather brings. Reach out to GreenForce Restoration for help repairing any damage to your roof. Give us a call at (502) 298-6733 or use our contact form to obtain a free quote.

Compelling Reasons to Choose Vinyl Siding

Boosts Curb Appeal

Installing vinyl siding significantly improves your home's curb appeal. Since the color is consistent throughout the material, the panels look great up close and from a distance. It gives your home a fresh, modern appearance while staying resistant to peeling, flaking, chipping, or scratching!

Retains Long-Lasting Color

The color in vinyl siding runs throughout the material, meaning it won’t fade or dull over time. With over 300 vinyl siding colors that meet or exceed industry standards for color retention, your home will maintain its vibrant look for years.

Wide Selection of Styles, Colors, Trim, and Accessories

Vinyl siding offers an impressive range of options to personalize your home’s exterior. From various trims, styles, textures, and shapes to decorative accessories for windows, doors, and more, you’ll find over 300 lasting colors to match the style you envision for your home.

Durable

Vinyl siding is strong and built to last. It’s dent-resistant (though we don’t recommend using it for hockey pucks or golf balls—it’s durable, but not indestructible!) and can withstand harsh weather conditions like wind, heat, cold, and moisture. You won’t need to worry about warping, splitting, rotting, or insect damage either.

Low Maintenance

Vinyl siding requires minimal upkeep. No need for scraping or painting—just rinse it off with a garden hose to remove most dust and dirt. For tougher stains, a mild soap and warm water solution will do the trick.

Easy to Install

Vinyl siding is one of the easiest types of exterior cladding to install. It’s lightweight and provides a uniform, polished look. Since installation is quick and straightforward, you can save on labor costs as well.

Excellent Warranties

Our high-quality vinyl siding supplier, Owens Corning, offers a lifetime limited warranty that is non-prorated, transferable, and guaranteed to last.

Additionally, vinyl and insulated vinyl siding are consistently among the best home improvement projects for high returns on investment. Contact GreenForce Restoration today for a free estimate on upgrading your home with new vinyl siding! Give us a call at (502) 298-6733 or use our contact form to obtain a free quote.

Steps Involved in Replacing Gutters

Gutters are often one of the least appreciated features of a home. While they serve an essential function, most homeowners don't look forward to cleaning them, much less replacing them. Like other parts of your home, gutters require some upkeep, and over time, they can wear out.

The typical lifespan of a new gutter system is around 20 years (though with excellent maintenance, you may be able to extend that). If your gutters are nearing the 20-year mark, you might be considering what’s involved in replacing them. Here’s what you can expect from a new gutter installation project performed by a professional roofing expert.

Remove Old Gutters

Before installing new gutters, the first step is to remove the old ones. This involves carefully taking down the existing gutters and downspouts from the eaves and fascia of your home. If you’re still selecting a roofing contractor for your gutter installation, it's important to ask how they plan to remove the old gutters. A professional should explain the steps they’ll take to avoid any damage to your eaves during the process.

If you're building a new home or adding gutters to a house that didn’t have them before, you can skip this step and move straight to measuring for the new gutters.

Check for Damage

After the old gutters are removed, the next step is to inspect for any damage behind them. Over time, the fascia and eaves may have suffered from rot or wear, especially if the old gutters were in place for many years. If any boards or sections of the fascia are damaged, they will need to be replaced before installing the new gutters. A reputable roofer will thoroughly inspect these areas and make any necessary repairs before proceeding with the installation.

Measure and Prepare

Once any damaged sections have been replaced, the roofer will take accurate measurements of your home. With the old gutters removed, it’s easier to measure precisely where the new gutters should be installed, where they should slope toward the downspouts, and how the corners should be angled. Accurate measurements are crucial for a smooth installation and proper gutter function.

With the measurements in hand, your roofer will prepare all the necessary materials. They will measure and cut the new gutters, assemble the corners, and create holes for the downspouts—all before attaching the gutters to your home.

Install New Gutters

Now that everything is prepped, the actual installation of the gutters begins. This step typically requires a team and can usually be completed in a day, depending on the size and height of your home. Most professional gutter installers use screws rather than nails to attach the gutters to the fascia. Screws are a more secure option, ensuring the gutters stay firmly in place.

Install Downspouts

Next, the downspouts are installed. Since the roofer will have pre-cut holes for the downspouts, this step is quick but essential. Downspouts direct water away from your home’s foundation, preventing damage and flooding. It's important to make sure they are installed properly, ensuring water flows away from the house.

Cleanup

Finally, the cleanup begins. Gutter installation can create some mess, but a quality roofing contractor will ensure your home is left in good condition. They will remove any leftover materials and use a large magnet to collect any dropped screws or metal pieces.

Need new gutters? GreenForce Restoration is here to help! We offer expert gutter installation for both new and existing homes. Give us a call at (502) 298-6733 or use our contact form to obtain a free quote.