Wind Damage To Flat Roofs

The stronger the wind and older the roof the more likelihood that some damage may occur.

Wind damage to flat roofs.

If you live somewhere where wind damage or wind storms are a regular occurrence you should know how to handle wind damage insurance claims and similar insurance issues which are often covered under your homeowners insurance. If you see the rubber membrane catching or waving in the wind that s a sign it s not giving sufficient protection and water can be infiltrating. With a flat roofing system the most vulnerable areas prone to wind damage are on the corners and around the edges of the roof. Wind damaged roofs roofs are very susceptible to wind damage in part because high winds do not hit roofs uniformly.

High winds can cause damage to your roof even without hail or other harmful weather. There are several types of damage high winds can cause to your roof including leaks missing shingles and gutter problems. This is due to the uplift pressure of the wind which can actually be much faster than the horizontal wind speed itself. Once again this is often simple to repair but dangerous to ignore.

In fact a 40 mph to 50 mph wind can pull off loose fascia and edge flashing. Missing shingles can lead to leaks and other interior damage. These loose parts of the roof are easy targets because winds can more easily rip up loose shingles causing a chain reaction. The problem with these vulnerable areas is when the perimeter of the roof gets damaged it can start peeling back and lift up.

Thunderstorms wind storms hail storms and even tornadoes can all cause wind damage to your property and even high winds can wreak havoc on unsecured structures or rooftops causing roof leaks and other potentially catastrophic roof damage. Once the flat roof system is damaged a larger more catastrophic failure can happen. Wind damage to flat roofs can cause extensive damage. To look for this sign of commercial roof damage you ll need to get on your roof when the wind is blowing just be careful.

Anywhere the roofing material is even a little bit loose the wind can get below it and push it up thus giving the wind more to grab onto next time and creating a chain peeling effect. The loose chippings can also get thrown around causing other damage. Other wind damage may not be easy to see especially if the adhesive seal that provides a water shedding surface is broken. Wind damage is usually found first at the edges of the roof.

Felt and chipping damage if you have a felt roof overlaid with chipping the wind can move the chippings into one area causing weight which can put pressure on certain spots and cause damage. Roof coverings that have lifted and peeled up from the edges is the usual sign of wind damage. Shingles roofs especially take a beating during high winds despite most being rated to withstand 90 mph winds. Wind damage significant wind can cause shingles to blow off the roof deck.

It doesn t take much wind to cause significant damage to flat commercial roof systems.