Storm Documentation
Wind Damage Documentation for Texas Homeowners
Wind damage ranges from lifted shingles and missing ridge caps to compromised fascia and soffit. In Texas, wind damage often arrives ahead of or alongside hail — the May 2024 Houston derecho produced gusts estimated at 100 mph and caused $1.2 billion in damage. Systematic documentation captures visible conditions before secondary damage develops and before any contractor visit.
Updated June 18, 2026
Wind Damage Indicators
What wind does to a roof system.
Wind damage is directional. It typically affects the leading edge, ridge, and any penetrations or transitions where uplift pressure concentrates.
Lifted and missing shingles
Wind creates uplift pressure at the leading edge and corners. Shingles lose adhesion seal strips and lift, crack, or tear away. Document both lifted and missing units with location reference.
Ridge and hip caps
Ridge caps are the most exposed element and often the first to fail. Missing caps leave the ridge vulnerable to water infiltration. Photograph the full ridge length.
Fascia and soffit
Wind-driven debris and direct pressure damage fascia boards and soffit panels. Damage here often precedes or accompanies roof surface damage.
Flashing displacement
Step flashing, valley flashing, and pipe boot collars can shift under wind load. Even minor displacement creates a water pathway.
Does Texas treat wind and hail as a combined deductible or separate?
Most Texas homeowner policies have a combined wind/hail deductible — commonly 1–2% of the insured dwelling value. On a $400,000 home, that is $4,000–$8,000 out of pocket before coverage applies. Understanding your deductible type before filing a claim affects the decision significantly.
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Wind Damage FAQs
Common questions about wind damage documentation
How is wind damage different from hail damage?
Hail damage produces consistent, measurable impact patterns on soft metals and shingles. Wind damage is directional — it shows up as lifted shingles at the leading edge, missing ridge caps, fascia separation, and soffit displacement. A storm may produce both; documentation should address each surface separately.
How soon after a wind event should I document?
As soon as safe access is available — ideally within 24–72 hours. Wind damage can progress quickly if lifted shingles allow water infiltration. Secondary moisture damage is much harder to connect to the original event the longer you wait.
Can I document wind damage myself from the ground?
Ground-level documentation is possible and useful for fascia, soffit, gutters, and visible ridge caps. Roof-surface wind damage — lifted shingles, cracked ridge caps, displaced flashing — requires roof-level access. Contact The Roof Shepherd for safe, professional roof-level documentation.
Does wind damage affect my insurance claim differently than hail?
Yes. Many Texas policies carry separate wind/hail deductibles — often 1–2% of the insured dwelling value. Some policies exclude certain types of wind damage. Independent documentation of visible wind-related conditions before filing gives you a neutral record that is not produced by a contractor with a financial interest in the outcome.