The short answer
Assess the Damage
After high winds, walk around your home and look for obvious signs: missing shingles, dented gutters, cracked windows, or debris that hit the siding. Check the attic for daylight or damp spots, which often mean the roof took a hit. If you see anything unsafe, like a sagging ceiling or downed power lines, stay back and call the right local pros.
Document everything with photos and notes. This helps your insurance company understand the scope if you file a claim. Keep a list of damaged items and where they came from. That information guides the repair order and helps the pros know what materials they need to bring.
- Look for loose or missing roof shingles
- Check windows and doors for broken seals
- Inspect gutters and downspouts for dents
- Note any water stains on ceilings or walls
- Watch for branches or debris on the roof
Secure Your Home
Your first job is to stop more water from getting in. If a window broke, board it up with plywood. If shingles blew off, lay a tarp over the area and weigh it down with bricks or sandbags. These temporary fixes buy you time until permanent repairs can happen.
Inside, move furniture away from wet walls and place buckets under active leaks. Turn off the power to affected rooms if water reached outlets or appliances. If you live in Rowlett, keep your shutoff valve location written down in case a broken pipe adds to the mess.
These steps are about safety, not perfection. The pros will handle the structural work, but your quick action limits secondary damage like soaked drywall or ruined flooring.
Repair the Roof
Roof damage is the most common wind issue. The pros will replace missing shingles, reseal flashing around chimneys and vents, and fix any sections where the underlayment is exposed. If the decking is waterlogged, they may cut out and replace that too.
This work usually happens from the roof surface, but sometimes they need to access from inside the attic to dry out framing. Expect the repair to match your existing roof style and color as closely as possible. The goal is to restore a watertight barrier, not just patch the visible hole.
If the wind tore off a large section, a full roof replacement might be necessary. The pros will inspect the rafters and sheathing for rot before deciding. They will explain what they find and what the next steps look like.
- Replace missing or curled shingles
- Reseal flashing and vents
- Patch or replace damaged underlayment
- Dry out and treat wet wood framing
- Match new materials to existing roof
Fix Siding and Windows
High winds can peel siding off walls, crack vinyl panels, or shatter glass. The pros will remove damaged sections, inspect the sheathing behind them, and install new siding that matches your home's profile. For windows, they replace the glass, frame, or both if the seal failed.
This step also covers doors that blew open or off their hinges. The pros will realign the frame and replace weather stripping to keep out drafts and rain. If water already soaked the wall cavity, they may need to remove drywall and insulation before closing it back up.
Address Interior Water Damage
Once the exterior is sealed, the pros turn to the inside. They will remove wet drywall, insulation, and any flooring that soaked up water. Then they dry the framing with air movers and dehumidifiers to prevent mold growth. After that, they install new drywall, tape, and texture to match your walls.
If cabinets or doors warped from moisture, those may need replacement too. The process ends with a final inspection to make sure everything is dry and sealed. You can then repaint and put your rooms back together. The whole timeline depends on the extent of the damage and how quickly drying goes.
In a humid subtropical climate, acting fast after wind damage helps keep moisture from settling in. That is why temporary sealing and quick scheduling matter.
Talk to someone now
Every hour counts once water gets into floors and walls. One call starts the response.
Call Now (214) 730-5993Frequently asked questions
How long does a wind repair take?
The timeline varies. A small roof patch might take a day, while a full roof replacement or extensive interior drying can take a week or more. The pros will give you a realistic schedule after assessing the damage. Weather and material availability also play a role.
Will my insurance cover wind damage?
Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered. Most standard homeowners policies cover wind, but deductibles and exclusions differ. Check your policy documents and file a claim promptly. Your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the damage and determine payment.
Can I do the repairs myself?
Small tasks like tarping a roof or boarding a window are fine for you to handle. But structural repairs, roof work, and drywall replacement usually require the pros. They have the tools and safety equipment to do the job right. Attempting complex repairs without experience can lead to bigger problems.