What Zippering Is, and How to Spot It on Your Roof
Wind damage that runs along a row of shingles. What causes it, what it looks like from the ground, and where it usually starts. Also what happens if you leave it, and what a fix involves.
Zippering is wind damage that runs along a row of shingles. The wind breaks the seal on one row and lifts it. Each row holds down the one below it. So the failure travels along the roof in a line instead of stopping at one shingle. From the ground it often looks like nothing.
Why Wind Takes a Whole Row
Shingles aren't fastened one by one and left alone. Each row is nailed down and then sealed to the row below it by a strip of adhesive. That strip softens in the sun and bonds. Roofers call a row a course, and that bond is what keeps a roof flat in wind.
Wind gets under an edge and breaks the seal. Once one row is unsealed, the row above has lost what held its bottom edge down. So the same wind takes that one too, and then the row above that. It runs along the roof, and that's the zipper.
Sometimes the shingles are gone afterward. More often they're lying back down exactly where they were, with a crease across them, looking almost normal.
A shingle that's been lifted and laid back down is no longer sealed. It won't reseal properly on its own in the middle of a Colorado winter. The next hard wind takes it for good.
What It Looks Like From the Driveway
Most of the time, nothing.
A zippered row that's been laid back down looks like a roof. That's exactly why the word exists. Roofers needed a name for damage that's obvious up close and invisible from below.
There are a few things you can sometimes catch:
- A faint line across the roof where the shingle color changes, because the exposed part weathered differently.
- One row sitting a fraction higher than the rows either side of it.
- Shingles, or pieces of shingle, in the yard, in the gutters, or up against the fence.
- Granules collected at the bottom of a downspout after a windy stretch.
None of that is a diagnosis. A roof can zipper and show none of it. A roof can also show a color line for a reason that has nothing to do with wind.
And don't go up to check. Walking a roof leaves marks that get confused with weather damage by the people who decide claims. Sloped roofs are also how people get hurt.
Where on a Roof It Usually Starts
Wind doesn't hit a roof evenly. It catches edges, and it catches whatever sticks up.
- The edges of the roof, where wind can get underneath.
- The sloped edge running up the side of a gable, which is the most exposed line on most houses.
- Along the top ridge.
- The side of the roof that faces the weather, which is the windward side rather than the sunny one.
- Anywhere a previous repair or a previous roof left an edge that was never sealed down properly.
Which is why damage on one side of a roof and not the other is normal rather than suspicious.
What Happens If You Leave It
An unsealed row isn't a leak. It's a roof that has lost the thing keeping it flat, and the next weather finds it.
The next hard wind takes the unsealed shingles for good, and now there's a gap. Water gets under what's left. The layer beneath the shingles was never built to be the waterproof layer on its own. The exposed edges of the shingles below start losing granules faster. They were never meant to be exposed at all. By the time anything shows up on a ceiling, the repair is a bigger one than it was.
None of that is fast. A zippered row can sit through a whole season doing nothing at all, which is precisely why it gets ignored.
Caught early it's usually one section of the roof rather than the whole thing.
What Fixing Zippering Involves
The fix is a roof repair. We take up the affected row so we can check the ones underneath. The row below an unsealed row has usually been working harder than it should. New shingles go in, and in cold weather we hand seal them rather than leaving them to bond.
That last part is worth knowing before somebody tells you it's a problem. Adhesive strips need warmth to bond. A repair done in January may not seal down fully until the weather turns, and that's normal.
Why Colorado Roofs See This
Wind here doesn't only come with storms. It comes down off the mountains. It comes in winter as often as in summer, and it comes in long stretches rather than single afternoons.
A roof that's been through several of those stretches has had its seals tested hard. Much harder than a roof somewhere flat and still.
So wind damage is a cold-season problem here as much as a summer one. That surprises people, because most of us file roof damage under hail and June.
Hail arrives from above and marks the whole roof at once. Wind works along lines, and it can do it on a completely clear day. If the storm that went through had hail in it, that's a different kind of damage. It looks nothing like this.
How Insurance Treats a Zippered Row
Wind damage is usually an insurance question rather than a maintenance one. It's generally not a warranty question. A manufacturer warranty covers how the shingle was made, not what the weather did to it afterward. Whether it's worth a claim depends on how much of the roof is affected and on what your policy says.
A single creased row after a windy night is one thing. A whole roof that has been through a storm is another.
If a claim is already open, the part that decides what gets paid for is the estimate.
What Our Customers Say
Adam Mayka
Josh with Semper Fi came to look at my roof after the most recent hail storm and couldn’t have been nicer. He was honest, thorough, and explained everything about the inspection process in great detail. His attention to detail and communication made it a very comfortable experience. Albeit we don’t need a new roof, when that time does come I will be using Semper Fi and I will recommend them to all of my friends and neighbors
Todd Reynolds
Was very responsive. I was able to get what was needed in regards to our roof inspections on three houses quickly. And worked with our insurance agent getting the right information needed for our insurance needs. If you’re looking for someone that knows roofs and you need inspections or confirmations regarding your roof. Highly would recommend recommend this company
Zilvinas Sutkus
We had Semper Fi Restoration Inc. complete the roof on our 10,000 sq. ft. commercial building, and we had a great experience from start to finish. We had the opportunity to meet Joshua Bosley and worked mainly with Leo, our project manager. Leo’s communication throughout the entire project was top-notch. As with any large commercial roofing project, we ran into a few unexpected snags along the way, but the Semper Fi team stepped up and took care of every issue with no questions asked. They stood behind their work, kept us informed, and made sure everything was handled properly. It’s refreshing to work with a company that takes responsibility and follows through on what they promise. We are very happy with the finished roof and would definitely recommend Semper Fi Restoration Inc. to anyone looking for a dependable and professional roofing company. Thank you to Joshua, Leo, and the entire Semper Fi team for a job well done!
Michael Molina
There are a lot of Roofing Contractors out there so when I was referred Josh and his team by a close friend I knew there must be something different about them. From the first meeting with Josh and Daniel I felt comfortable and at ease. I had a lot of questions and they answered them without hesitation and in extreme detail which I appreciated. They helped me through the entire insurance journey and made sure I was covered before any work was done which helped lift that burden off my shoulders. Also, you will not find a Owner as diligent as Josh when it comes to QA/QC of the work done by his crews making sure the roof/gutters you get are up to HIS standards. I appreciate Josh and Daniel for getting the work done and definitely exceeded all my expectations. I don't usually write reviews but their work deserves some praise, I will definitely be referring them anytime I hear anyone I know is even thinking of getting or needing a new roof.
Larry Walters
We had a great experience working with Joshua Bosley and Semper Fi Restoration after our home suffered large hail damage. They are honest, trustworthy, professional and knowledgeable. They held subcontractors to their high standards. This has been the best experience we have ever had with a roof replacement and other hail damage repairs. Working with Josh, Kat, and the team was a pleasure. We highly recommend Semper Fi to others! Larry and Darlene W.
Zachary Koch
I wanted to take a moment to leave a review for Josh and his team at Semper Fi Restoration. Josh came out the same day we called to provide an estimate and inspect our roof, and a member of his team completed the repairs first thing the very next morning. We truly appreciated the quick turnaround, excellent customer service, and quality workmanship in repairing the damage to our roof. The entire process was smooth, professional, and stress-free. I highly recommend Semper Fi Restoration to anyone looking for a reliable and responsive roofing company!
Lisa Smith
When my insurance refused to pay for my hail damaged roof, Semper Fi worked with my insurance to successfully get them to pay. They helped me with the entire process and communicated well. They were always available if I had questions. Their crew did a good job. They cleaned up after themselves. I highly recommend this company.
Aubrey Monckton
I had a fantastic experience with Leo at Semper Fi Restoration Inc. He recently completed some roof repairs for me, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Leo was professional, honest, responsive, and clearly takes pride in his work. He explained everything thoroughly, showed up on time, and made the entire process smooth and stress-free. The quality of the repairs was excellent, and it’s clear he genuinely cares about doing the job right. It’s hard to find contractors you can truly trust, but Leo absolutely earned my confidence. I highly recommend Leo and Semper Fi Restoration Inc. to anyone needing roofing work or repairs. Outstanding service from start to finish!
Michael Kerr
Josh Bosley and Semper Fi Restoration recently completed hail damage work on our residence. Josh handled EVERYTHING with our insurance company. The work was completed on time, as promised. Clean-up was great. Josh came back and guaranteed we were happy with everything - including fixing two small areas that we felt needed additional work. He ensured we were 100% happy prior to moving on. He was a great communicator, very patient with us, and made us extremely happy that we chose him and Semper Fi. I rarely leave reviews - but would highly recommend him. Final note, our insurance agent recommended him to us and he was as great as advertised.
Sharine Webber
Semper Fi Restoration recently completed installing a new roof and we are so impressed with the service from start to finish. Leo Jett thoroughly explained the whole process and answered all of our questions. He was a huge help with the insurance claims and demonstrated a sincere desire to make sure everything was done professionally and to the highest standards. The crew were hard workers and also demonstrated the same commitment to completing the job right. Leo always followed up with us and made sure we didn't have any concerns or questions. We highly recommend Semper Fi Restoration!!
Jeff Cisneros
Josh is absolutely amazing, his service and follow-up is thr best I have ever experienced. The thing that really impressed me was his honesty after inspection, he shared that I didn't need a new roof. There are very few companies with that level of honesty. He has earned a customer for life.
Judy B
Leo Jett was fabulous! He walked me through every step of the process and made this a great experience. His customer service was more than I could have hoped for. After spending 25 years in the HOA business, Semper Fi would be a contractor I would recommend to anyone needing a new roof.
sukhvir singh
Outstanding service from start to finish. Semper Fi Restoration Inc exceeded all expectations with their roofing work. Their professionalism, expertise, and attention to detail were second to none. The team was reliable, efficient, and truly cared about delivering top-quality results. I have nothing but respect for this company and highly recommend them to anyone needing roofing services. Thank you, Semper Fi, for an exceptional experience.
Matt
We worked with Josh and his crew to get our badly damaged roof repaired. Josh had no hesitation to get over as soon as he could walk the roof spent hours doing his inspection to make sure everything was covered not one thing was left out. He was very thorough. I am a person that wants to understand everything and he had no hesitation to explain and walk me through every process. I highly recommend Semper Fi Restoration. They are honest and will get the job done right
Common Questions
Is zippering a real roofing term or just something my roofer said?
It's real. It's what roofers call wind damage that runs along a row, and it isn't in any code book. Trade shorthand for a pattern, nothing more mysterious than that.
Is zippering the same as wind damage?
It's one kind of wind damage, the kind that runs along a row. Wind does other things to a roof too, including lifting individual shingles and tearing off ridge caps.
Can it happen without a storm?
Yes. A long windy stretch does it as readily as a single storm. It happens in winter as often as in summer. There doesn't have to be a date you can point at.
My shingles are all still there. Can it still have happened?
Yes, and that's the common version. The seal breaks, the shingles lift, and they lay back down. Nothing is missing, and from the driveway nothing looks wrong.
Does a zippered row leak straight away?
Usually not. It leaks after the next wind takes the unsealed shingles for good, which can be months later. That gap between the damage and the leak is what makes this one awkward.
Does it happen more on old roofs?
Yes. Adhesive strips get less effective as a roof ages. A brittle shingle creases rather than flexing when the wind lifts it.
Is it more likely on a certain kind of shingle?
It happens on all of them. Some shingle types and some fastening hold up better than others. How the roof was put on matters as much as what it was put on with.
Can I fix a zippered row myself?
The shingles have to come up so a roofer can check what's underneath. Doing that from a ladder on a sloped roof is how people get hurt.
There's a second reason too. Marks left by walking a roof get confused with weather damage by the people who decide claims. You can cost yourself money just by having a look.
How do I know it's zippering and not hail?
Hail marks the whole roof at once and leaves bruises. Wind works along lines and leaves creases. A roof can have both at the same time. So the tell is the mark itself: a bruise, or a crease.
When is a windy stretch worth a look?
Branches on the lawn and a lid off the trash can are a decent rule of thumb.
If the wind took things down in the yard, it was strong enough to work on the seals up top. Worth a look. An ordinary breezy week isn't the same thing.
Does this affect the rest of the roof or just that row?
Usually the row and whatever that row was protecting. How much further it goes depends on how long it's been like that and what the weather did afterward.
Send Us a Roof Photo
Headline: Not Sure What You're Looking At?
Send a photograph of what you're seeing and we'll tell you what it is. If it needs a closer look, we'll come out, get up there, and photograph the row itself.