High-velocity winds brought on by hurricanes, tornados, or any other weather occurrence can do serious damage to your commercial or residential roofing system. Quite often when weather forecasters predict and report on wind speeds, they don’t account for gusting, which can be significantly higher than regular wind speeds. These gusts can cause uplifting, suctioning, and twisting forces that generate increased levels of power that can have very damaging effects on your roofing system.
Wind Damage to Commercial Roof Systems
When it comes to your commercial metal roofing system, high winds can wreak havoc on it in many different ways. Pounding wind and wind gusts can loosen rooftop components such as HVAC units and rip them from your roofing system. As they roll or are pounded back down on your roof they can cause severe damage.
Gusting wind also can rip off sections of your metal roofing system, even if it is rated for high-velocity winds there is always a chance that it can be compromised by secondary factors. Severe storms and high winds are often accompanied by hail and other debris.
When hail and debris are blown at your commercial metal roof at the same speed as wind gusts they can easily penetrate metal surfaces causing openings and compromising the structural integrity of your roofing system. If your roof opens up, it’s even more susceptible to high winds as well as rain and moisture.
Residential Wind Damage
Similar to commercial metal roofing systems, residential roofs can withstand high winds to a certain point, but can eventually give in depending on the wind velocity and if there is any secondary damage to the roof. Shingled roofing and other types of residential roofing can be wind-rated for certain velocities, but at a certain point they will give in to wind speeds and shingles can be ripped off. This can then cause a chain reaction of removal that continuously weakens the roof overall and leads to severe damage.
Specific nail patterns, hurricane straps, and bracing are some common solutions to strengthen your roof to help it endure high-velocity winds, but there isn’t much that can be done to defend against flying debris, hail, and falling trees. Heavy winds can blow debris at your roof at incredibly high speeds, which can easily penetrate your shingled roof. Falling trees and tree limbs can also come crashing down and cause significant damage to your roof and home.
What Can You Do?
While it’s hard to predict when a tree, tree branch, or other debris will cause damage to your commercial or residential roofing system, you can defend against high winds. If high-velocity winds are common in your area, then working with a reputable and experienced roofing company like WaterTight Roofing can ensure your roof is properly installed and rated for high winds.
Using the proper materials and installation techniques is your best defense against high winds. Additionally, ensuring that regular maintenance and repairs are done to keep your roof strong and sturdy is also important in defending against high-velocity winds.
For more information about defending your roofing systems from high winds contact WaterTight Roofing today: 888-809-9976.
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