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Wind, storms, and heavy rains are common occurrences during winter and can cause extensive damage to your roofing system. Before this time of the year, it's essential to take the required measures to safeguard your roof from damage caused by wind. These damages include holes in the roof, moisture leaks, loosened roof components, and cracked shingles.
You can do numerous things to safeguard your roof from storm damage, and here we have compiled some best practices to help you keep your building protected and avoid damage during strong winds. Continue reading to find out more.
Roof Design and Construction
Choosing the right roof design and construction ideal for your operations is imperative to ensure. This guarantees durability and stability and grants rigidity that keeps it resistant to damage, especially in areas with high wind.
Roof pitch is the roofing term used to describe the angle and steepness of roofs. You'll find steep, low, or flat roofs in commercial buildings today. On the other hand, residential apartments and office properties usually only have flat roofs. With residential homes, you can also find steep slope roofs.
Different types of roofs are used in construction, and here's an overview of these types of roofs:
Green roofing
This is the most versatile type of roof, primarily used on commercial properties. The roof is made of a layer of vegetation, which is placed over a waterproofing system on a slightly sloped or flat roof.
Thermoset roofing membrane
This type of roofing system is among the most durable synthetic rubber on the market, and it is mainly applied to low-slope buildings.
Modified bitumen (MB) roofing
This asphalt-based type of roof is primarily designed for low-sloped or flat roofing systems. The roofing system is made from a combination of asphalt and polymerized rubber or plastic. It is also reinforced with fiberglass making it more durable and resistant to water.
Metal roofing
This roofing type is made from tiles or metal pieces. This is the typical option widely used on commercial buildings, and different kinds of metal materials are used in making metal roofing systems.
Built-up roofing membrane
This type of roof is made from asphalt felts and layers of asphalt that are installed such that they are interwoven piles from the roofing membrane.
How High Winds Blow Roofs Off
Wind movement over roofs creates pressure, which tends to lower the atmospheric pressure below the roofing system. As air enters your home through the door or window, it also creates pressure within the roof, leading to an upward thrust that makes a suction effect.
It's important to note that the suction effect pushes the roof upwards due to the combination of air in your building and the force of air on the roof.
How to Protect Your Roof from Wind Damage
With everything above, here are some easy ways to protect your roof from wind damage:
Roof Inspection
Performing regular roof inspections on your roof is a great way to protect it and ensure that it doesn't get damaged, especially after strong winds. Leaving damages unrepaired will worsen things, and getting a roof replacement or roof repair is often expensive.
There are copious things to be on the lookout for when performing a roof inspection, and these include blistering paints on the walls and ceilings and dark spots in this region. These are indications of water damage. Another sign to look out for is damp spots close to the fireplaces.
Whenever there's a heavy wind in your region, always check for possible roof damage or missing shingles. Also, search for signs of wear and tear and verify that the flashings are still in good condition.
Deal with trees
Strong winds have effects on other environmental components, and they can cause trees to fall on your roofing system. This will create a puncture in your roof and cause the roof to collapse. You can effectively protect your roof from storm damage by inspecting the surrounding trees and checking if any tree is rotting, so you can cut it down.
Also, consider overgrown tree branches because they can damage your shingles during windy days. The wind will cause branches to fall on the roof, allowing rodents and pests to access your roofing system easily. You can avoid this by keeping trees at least 10 feet away from your roof.
Use protective material
There are different protective materials that you can use, such as plywood, to cover the roofs and protect them from damage caused by wind. Alternatively, you can call a professional roofer or roofing contractor for advice on how you can use these protective materials. These professionals are well-trained, and they will help you perform inspections on your roof and provide tips on the right types of protective materials.
Secure or remove movable items
When the weather conditions are pleasant, consider moving some items away. For example, things like children's toys, patio furniture, and yard equipment might seem harmless. However, these items are dangerous during storms.
Even your rubber trash containers could be hazardous during the wind, as they could fly around. These items could land on your roof and cause damage from the impact. Therefore, before any storm or wind, it's vital to ensure that you clear out these items.
Close doors and windows tightly
One of the top things to ensure whenever there's a strong wind is to close your doors and windows. Leaving them open only increases the possibility of the wind getting into your home, which can cause an upward push on your roof. As mentioned, this upward push when the wind gets into your roof can cause damage.
Clear gutters
Most people overlook their gutters, but it's also a vital component to look at. Gutters are essential as they ensure water is channeled away from your roof. If your gutters get clogged, it will cause water to accumulate on your roof, and this can cause leakages and other problems. The accumulation of water can also increase the weight of your roofing system, and this can cause damage to your roof or the components on the roof.
Don't ignore warning signs
Most people ignore weather forecasts, but they are usually accurate, and taking them seriously is essential. However, because these predictions fluctuate generally, people tend to ignore the weather forecast. On the other hand, it's necessary to always take them seriously and consider them a warning sign so you can apply protective measures on your roof and building.
Use wind and hail-resistant products
Some roofing products on the market are designed to withstand wind and hail better than others. For example, products like Class IV shingles offer a resistant rating of UL 2218, which is impressive, and this allows it to effortlessly withstand large hailstones and high-impact wind.
Use Experts To Protect Roofs From Storm Damage
In addition to everything above, you can consider hiring a professional roofer. They will help you to perform an inspection and identify potential problems with your roofing system before they become significant issues. These experts have the required skills, experience, and knowledge to ensure that your roofing system is in good shape and capable of withstanding any storms that may come your way.
Additionally, they can provide invaluable suggestions and ideas on further protecting your roof during a storm. They can provide the advice and expertise you need to keep your roof in excellent condition, regardless of the weather. However, sometimes, the only thing you need to keep your residential or commercial roof protected is to install roof tiles.
