What should you do when shingles blow off your roof?
Short answer. When shingles blow off, stay safe and photograph the roof, the missing areas and any shingles in the yard, then get the exposed area covered before the next rain and have a roofer replace the shingles properly. If the wind was strong enough to strip shingles, have the whole roof checked, since more shingles are often unsealed or creased even where none are missing, and wind damage may be covered depending on your policy.
Right after the storm
- Safety first. Stay off the roof, watch for downed lines, and keep clear of hanging limbs.
- Photograph everything from the ground: missing areas, exposed felt or decking, shingles and debris in the yard, and any interior stains. Note the date and the storm.
- Save a few blown-off shingles. They help match the line and color, and they document the damage.
- Protect the opening. Exposed underlayment can shed light rain for a short time, but bare decking cannot. Arrange a temporary cover quickly; homeowner policies generally expect reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
- Check the attic and ceilings for water.
Why the whole roof matters
Wind lifts shingles at the edges, ridge and rakes first. For every shingle that leaves, others nearby may have broken seal strips or creases across the top where they folded back. Those look fine from the ground but tend to go in the next storm. A roofer checks by gently lifting tabs to see whether the seal holds and looking for creases.
Insurance basics
- Wind damage is a common covered peril, subject to your deductible and policy terms.
- Some Georgia policies carry a separate wind and hail deductible, sometimes a percentage of the dwelling coverage.
- Report promptly, since delays make the cause harder to prove.
See wind damage roof claims, wind damage to roofs in Georgia and signs you need a new roof.