A line of thunderstorms blew through last night, and this morning there are shingle pieces on the lawn and a strip of metal hanging off the edge of the roof. Or nothing looks wrong at all, but your neighbor’s roofer is up a ladder and you’re wondering if yours took a hit too. Wind damage roof repair in Orlando starts with knowing what wind actually does to a roof, because much of it can’t be seen from the ground.
It’s unsettling to not know. You don’t want to ignore real damage, and you don’t want to get talked into a roof you don’t need by whoever knocks first. You deserve a careful look and a plain answer.
APC Roofing inspects and repairs wind-damaged roofs on homes and commercial buildings across the greater Orlando area, from Clermont and Kissimmee to Sanford and Altamonte Springs. We’re GAF Certified, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured, and your inspection is free.
How wind damages a roof
Wind doesn’t push straight down on a roof. As it moves over the house, it creates lift, the same way air lifts an airplane wing. That pull is strongest at the edges, the corners and along the ridge, which is why damage almost always starts there.
Central Florida gets two kinds of wind that matter. Summer thunderstorms can throw out sudden, powerful gusts that come and go in minutes. Tropical storms and hurricanes bring hours of sustained wind from shifting directions. Both can do damage, and the second kind tests every weak spot on the roof.
Wind damage roof repair in Orlando: what to look for
Shingle roofs
Each shingle is nailed down and glued to the row beneath it by a sealant strip. A strong gust can break that seal and fold the shingle back. Sometimes it tears off. Often it flops back down and looks fine from the street, but it now has a crease across it and no longer sticks to the row below. Creased, unsealed shingles are one of the most commonly missed kinds of wind damage, and the next storm usually takes them.
Tile roofs
Wind can lift and crack tiles, especially along the edges and at the ridge and hips, where the tiles are set differently from the rest of the roof. Flying debris breaks tiles too. Because tile roofs rely on the underlayment beneath for waterproofing, a few broken tiles may not leak right away, but they leave that underlayment exposed to sun and rain.
Metal roofs
Panels and trim can loosen at the edges, and screws on exposed-fastener roofs can back out. A loose edge flaps in the wind and can peel back further in the next storm.
Flashing and edge metal
Drip edge, rake trim and flashing at walls get bent, pulled loose or torn away. These pieces protect the most vulnerable joints on the roof, so damage here often leads to leaks.
Commercial storm damage roof repair
Flat and low-slope commercial roofs fail a little differently. Wind gets under membrane at the perimeter and corners and can peel it back, and metal coping along the parapet walls can lift. Rooftop units and their flashing get shifted, and debris piles up and blocks drains. If you manage a commercial building, our commercial roof repair page covers what we check.
Wind-driven rain and falling limbs
Wind pushes rain sideways and even uphill, under shingles and through gaps at flashing that would stay dry in a normal rain. Leaks that only show up during storms are often wind-driven rain finding a weak spot.
Large limbs and whole trees are their own problem. A heavy impact can crack decking and rafters, not just the surface. If a tree is on your roof, stay out of that part of the house until it’s been looked at.
What to do after a windstorm
Stay off the roof. A roof with loose shingles or wet surfaces is dangerous, and you can do more damage walking on it. Instead:
- Walk around the house and look for shingles, tile pieces or metal in the yard
- Check the attic and ceilings for new stains or drips
- Take photos of anything you find, with the date
- If water is getting in, move belongings away and put a bucket under the drip
A properly secured tarp can keep water out until the permanent repair is done. For bigger storms, our hurricane damage roof repair and storm damage roofing pages cover what comes next.
Wind damage and your insurance claim
If you plan to file a claim, we document the damage with photos and measurements and give you a written estimate. You file your claim with your insurance company and pay your own deductible. We work with your adjuster so the damage on your roof is clearly accounted for. Our insurance roof claims page explains the process.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 407-270-1129 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of any lifted, creased or missing shingles, damaged tile or loose metal, and hear whether a repair will do or the damage is widespread enough for replacement.
- Your roof gets repaired and the site gets cleaned up. Damaged material and debris leave with the crew.
Wind damage roof repair questions from Orlando homeowners
How do I know if my roof has wind damage?
Missing shingles, pieces in the yard, bent edge metal and new ceiling stains are the obvious signs. Creased shingles and broken seals usually can’t be seen from the ground, so an inspection is the only way to know for sure.
Can wind-damaged shingles be repaired, or does the roof need replacing?
Scattered damage can often be repaired by replacing the affected shingles and resealing loose ones. When damage is spread across many slopes, or the shingles are too brittle to work with, replacement may make more sense.
Does Central Florida get hail damage too?
Sometimes. Spring and summer thunderstorms can bring hail, usually small, along with strong wind. The inspection covers both.
Should I get my roof inspected even if it isn’t leaking?
Yes, after a strong storm it’s worth it. Creased shingles and loose edges often don’t leak until the next storm, and finding them early keeps the repair small.
A roof ready for the next storm
Wind damage tends to grow. A shingle that lost its seal in one storm is likely to be gone in the next, and the gap it leaves lets water reach the deck. Have it looked at now, and you can face the rest of the season knowing your roof is sound, your house is dry and nothing up there is waiting to fail. Call 407-270-1129 to book your free inspection.
