How To Deal With Roof Damage From High Winds

roof damage, How To Deal With Roof Damage From High Winds, storm damage
roof damage, How To Deal With Roof Damage From High Winds, storm damage

How To Deal With Roof Damage From High Winds

High winds can be a threat to roofs year-round. Both winter and summer storms can carry with them gusty high winds that can cause major damage to shingle roofs by breaking seals or even ripping off shingles. If you live in a hurricane or tornado-prone area, the damage can be even worse.

 

If a high wind storm has blown through, dealing with any roofing damage right away is important to prevent further problems that will cost you more money. Though catastrophic wind damage is always a possibility, being prepared is your best bet. Make sure to call a professional roofer for an inspection so your roof is ready for the next big wind storm.

 

 

High winds mean major risk to your roof

 

When people think of high winds, they often think of hurricanes or tornadoes. The winds from both of these weather events can reach well in excess of 100 miles an hour. The largest and most destructive tornadoes can pack a punch over 200 mph in wind speed.

 

Even regular thunderstorms can bring wind gusts of over 100 miles per hour. In 2020, a rare type of storm, a “derecho,” pounded parts of the country with nearly 60 mph winds for over 14 hours. Often the effect of lower winds for a long period of time can be just as destructive as powerful short gusts.

 

Winds create damage in a couple of different ways. First, there’s the phenomenon of negative pressure. Essentially, when the air flows quickly over a roof, it creates a sort of vacuum effect, lifting everything underneath upward. This is the same force that allows a 100,000-pound airplane to lift into the sky.

 

This suction can be so powerful that it tears the roofs completely off commercial and residential buildings. Shingles and other roofing material can go flying. Other areas affected by the positive air pressure can be blown apart.

 

Debris is another huge problem. Entire trees can come down during a windstorm, as can large branches, building materials, or just about anything else 

 

 

Preparing for the big storm

 

Making sure your roof is in good shape is actually the first step to keeping major damage from happening in the first place. Performing regular roof inspections is the best way to accomplish this.

 

Depending on the height and pitch of your roof, you may be able to see certain problems from the ground. If you can’t, it’s highly recommended that you hire a professional roofer to perform the inspection. They know exactly what to look for and can fix many minor problems quickly and inexpensively. Here’s what they’ll be looking for:

 

Loose or missing shingles:

 

Weather or improper installation and maintenance can cause shingles to sometimes be only loosely attached to the subroof. These shingles are much more likely to go flying when the wind comes. The gap they leave can let more air under the surrounding shingles and cause them to fly away as well.

 

If the edges of shingles are beginning to curl upward, this provides an excellent surface for wind to fully peel the shingle up and tear it off. These shingles will need to be replaced for your roof to stand up to a wind storm.

 

Water damage:

 

Water that has pooled in certain areas can cause nails and adhesive to become weakened. This means that strong winds are much more likely to cause shingles to become detached and fly off. If you can see places where water is pooling, you need to have the issue repaired as soon as possible.

 

Debris:

 

High wind storms bring branches and other debris with them. You don’t want to provide any more fuel for them to do damage to your roof. When your roof is inspected pieces of debris can be removed so it’s less likely to do damage when the wind hits.

 

Fully functioning roofing system:

 

Your roof is made up of several parts: the outer shingling or tiles, a membrane, and then the subroof. It’s important that the entire structure be strong and in good condition. When you have your roof inspected, your roofer can tell you if the subroof and other parts are in good shape and if it needs any work.

 

 

 

After damage has taken place

 

While preparation is so important, and can help in a windstorm, there are times when the weather is so severe, there isn’t much you can do.

 

In these cases, it’s important to call a qualified roofer like Horizon right away once the storm has passed. If your roof has been damaged, there may be little to nothing to protect what remains of the roof and the structure underneath.

 

Do not attempt to inspect a damaged roof yourself. Only a qualified professional should be up on your roof, which could be structurally damaged after a major storm.

 

You can look for any signs inside your home that indicate a loss of roof integrity. If you observed water coming in during the storm, this means that the roof was damaged enough to break the waterproof membrane or paper.  Even if you didn’t see any drips during the storm, make sure to look for staining or cracked paint that could indicate the presence of water damage.

 

Structural repairs

 

If the damage is severe, large portions or even your entire roof may need to be replaced. Horizon can look for ways to salvage parts of the existing structure to keep costs down. They can also assist with temporary measures like tarps while you wait for your repair

 

Minor repairs

 

Even if the storm has come through and everything looks good from the street, it’s important to have a close-up look. If shingles are missing, or the waterproof membrane was damaged, then even a simple rainstorm can cause additional and serious water damage.

 

 

Selecting the right roof

 

Wind from storms and other weather events can be hard to predict. They can happen in any part of the country. However, some areas are more prone to tornadoes and hurricanes, which reliably pack the biggest punch.

 

When it’s time for a new roof, discuss the different options with a qualified professional roofer. There are some types of roofs that can be more resilient when it comes to wind than others.

Horizon Roofing – serving the Orange County, CA area – is your reliable local roofing contractors. We specialize in residential roofing and commercial roofing and have been in the industry for over a decade. We have excellent reviews and look forward to serving your need.

 

Call us on(714) 328-1967, email us at horizonroofingcompany@gmail.com, or contact us here today.

How To Deal With Roof Damage From Termites

roof maintenance, roof damage, roof repair, How To Deal With Roof Damage From Termites
roof maintenance, roof damage, roof repair, How To Deal With Roof Damage From Termites

How To Deal With Roof Damage From Termites

Seeing a large termite tent over a neighbor’s house makes many people ask themselves, “Should I be worried about termites at my home?” The fear isn’t unfounded. Termites lurk and thrive across the country. They can inflict large amounts of damage on roofs, rafters and fascia boards.

How do you deal with this nuisance? What can be done to correct damage that has already occurred? In this article, we’ll discuss what type of damage termites cause and how it can be prevented and repaired.

 

Termites: a nuisance in the springtime and possibly year round

The end of winter is usually a time to celebrate warmer weather and blooming flowers. It also happens to be the time of year that termites become active. During the winter, these little pests are nesting and preparing for the year ahead.

 

When the weather starts to warm up, they emerge from the nest just in time to wreak havoc on wood and other building materials. In climates that are more temperate year-round, termites can even be active all year long.

 

Termite damage 

The longer termites breed, colonize and feed on your roof, the worse the damage will be. Sometimes, the damage can be subtle enough that you don’t notice it. Or, the damage may be taking place in areas that aren’t easily visible. Here’s just a few of the roof areas that will likely be impacted by termites.

 

Subroof damage

The subroof is an essential part of your roofing system. It structurally supports the shingles, metal or tiles that make up the outer skin. Some especially heavy roofs like concrete tiles require a substantial subroof structure. If it’s weakened, and water starts to rot away, those tiles could actually collapse inside.

 

Because the roofing material covers the subroof, you probably won’t be able to see any damage caused by termites from the outside. You’ll need to look for signs like termite droppings or actual damage to the wood to know if you have an infestation.

 

Termite droppings are usually seen as little piles of round crumbs or sawdust. Unlike rodent droppings, termite droppings aren’t especially harmful to humans. If you see them, it’s a sure sign that damage is taking place to your roof.

 

In many homes, you’ll need to climb up in the attic space to check for droppings or wood damage. If you spot any suspicious signs, it’s a good idea to call an exterminator with termite expertise right away.

 

Rafter damage

Rafters are another place that termites love to feed. This is another essential component of your roofing system. The rafters hold up the subroof which in turn holds up the shingles and tiles. Termites love the dark space of the attic, where they have plenty of wood to feed on. 

 

One big culprit is areas of the attic that can be moist, such as over the bathrooms or kitchen. If they aren’t properly vented, they can become damp, and become an inviting feeding ground for termites.

 

Fascia board damage

Fascia boards are on the outside of your home, typically running below a roof overhang. The good news is that these boards are often easy to see and inspect periodically. 

 

Just like the other areas of your roof, you’ll want to look for any termite droppings or piles of sawdust. You may see the telltale channels dug into the wood. You may also see bubbling or peeling paint. 

Any of these signs mean it’s time to have an exterminator take a look. If you find termites in one place, there’s a good chance you’ll find them in other places as well.

 

What do do if you have a termite infestation

Finding signs of termite damage is never ideal. It’s important to get started on a treatment and repair plan immediately. The first step is to deal with the termites themselves. After they are no longer active, you can begin to make repairs.

 

Dealing with the termites

Calling an exterminator is your first step. They can inspect the roof, rafters, fascia and other areas around the house to assess how bad the damage is. If the infestation isn’t too extensive, they can treat only the affected areas. Then, you can focus on preventing any future infiltration of termites.

Sometimes, the infestation is clearly widespread. Other times, it’s not possible to make a complete inspection without removing drywall or exterior walls. In these cases, tenting is recommended.

 

During tenting, crews place large tarps over the entire house. An insecticide gas is then released in and around the home within the tent that wipes out all the termites. The good news is that it’s highly effective. The bad news is that it’s expensive and requires you to be out of your home for several days. You also have to remove food and other personal belongings.

 

Dealing with the damage

Once the termites are no longer actively infesting your home, you’ll want to call a roofer to assess the damage and make repairs. Severely damaged and rotting wood will need to be replaced. It’s essential to get the repairs done right to prevent any water intrusion and termite issues in the future.

 

Preventing termites

There’s a few steps you can take to prevent termites from causing damage in the first place. Prevention is always cheaper than making repairs so it’s worth spending some time on double checking that your house isn’t friendly for termites.

 

  • First off, having a qualified, licensed roofer like Horizon perform a periodic inspection can help prevent any leaks or buildup in moisture which creates an inviting place for termites to set up shop.
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  • Painting and sealing all exposed wood can help prevent termites from penetrating the outer surface of the wood. 
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  • Cutting back grass, shrubs and trees close to your structure can really help moisture accumulation, which is a breeding ground for termites. Mulch is very useful in gardening, but keep it back from the house itself, as it keeps the soil moist.

Horizon Roofing – serving the Orange County, CA area – is your reliable local roofing contractors. We specialize in residential roofing and commercial roofing and have been in the industry for over a decade. We have excellent reviews and look forward to serving your need.

 

Call us on(714) 328-1967, email us at horizonroofingcompany@gmail.com, or contact us here today.