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How to
Protect Your Roof from Heavy Hurricane Rains
By
Greg Thirnbeck, Registered Roof Consultant
(ARA)- - When Hurricane Katrina rolled ashore in Louisiana August 29th
packing 140 mph winds and dumping an inch an hour of rain along much
of the Gulf Coast, America held its breath. Only a few years earlier,
a hurricane narrowly missed New Orleans. The latest storm would result
in property damage and recovery costs far exceeding the $32 billion
caused by Andrew in 1992 as it battered the Southeast.
Katrina is still fresh in our minds as we prepare for the new
hurricane season. Being prepared for a hurricane can not only save
your life, but it can reduce the risk of water damage to your
property. Few preparations can help keep the rain and wind out as much
as protecting the windows and the roof. And the roof is the primary
shield against the rain and the primary guardian of your assets below.
Few residential and industrial roofs can withstand the full power of a
hurricane, but there are some simple steps you can take before a
hurricane to reduce the risk of roof damage and failure. In the event
of a hurricane these steps may keep you and your business safe and in
operation.
Beware the weak spots. Wind and rain seek out weak points in your
roofing system and can lead to catastrophic roof failure during a
hurricane.
Poorly designed or installed perimeter flashings. The perimeter is the
most common failure point for roofing systems during wind storms. If
flashings aren’t installed properly, wind uplift pressure can cause
the system to peel the roof edge back and allow the entire system to
fail.
Improperly secured rooftop equipment. If HVAC equipment or other
rooftop units break free during high winds they can cause considerable
damage to the roofing components, and adjacent properties.
Blocked or obstructed drainage systems. Blocked gutters, scuppers, and
drains can create standing water on your roof during periods of heavy
rain. If severe enough, the weight of the standing water could cause
damage to the deck and other structural components possibly leading to
roof collapse.
Improperly designed or constructed deck systems. If the deck is
improperly designed or has not been adequately secured, wind uplift
pressure could cause the deck to blow off even if the roof system is
properly attached to the deck.
How to reduce your risk
This is the time to take action, before the first winds blow, to save
a lot of headaches later. If you don’t have the knowledge or expertise
to take these steps yourself, you can outsource the work to a
qualified and licensed roofing contractor – the sooner the better.
Step 1 – Check roofing files for documentation of roof construction
and warranties. It is important to have a clear understanding of how
your roof has been constructed to assist in evaluating current
conditions and determine if upgrades are necessary. Understanding your
warranty terms and conditions will prevent voiding your warranty
through improper activities and repairs on the roof. And, save you
money by not paying for warranted repairs.
Step 2 – Inspect your roof prior to hurricane season. Look for
maintenance and repair items such as: blocked drainage systems;
unanchored rooftop units – HVAC, vents, skylights; and determine if
additional reinforcements to the perimeter such as fasteners and
hurricane bars are required. Consult current building codes to ensure
roof system and attachments are in compliance.
Step 3 – Identify competent people to perform work safely.
Inspections, maintenance and repairs should be completed by trained
and experienced people. Safety is an important aspect of the process.
Remember to comply with all OSHA regulations.
Step 4 - Establish a relationship with a trusted roofing contractor.
Maintain ongoing agreements with a contractor to provide supplies and
repairs after a storm.
Inspect for hidden damage after the storm
The hurricane has passed and you didn’t have major damage and little
if any water entered your building. Wind, rain and blowing debris may
have caused hidden damage to your roof system that could leave you
exposed during the next storm. That’s why it is important to have a
licensed roofing professional re-inspect your roof after a hurricane
to look for visible and hidden damage.
First, stop the leaks
Your first concern is to stop water entering your building any way you
can. Water entering a building can damage insulation, walls, and
equipment. You should keep basic roof repair materials on hand such as
plastic tarps, sealants, and patching material to make emergency and
temporary repairs.
Next, call a qualified and trusted roofing contractor. Following a
disaster, unlicensed roofing contractors may approach you. Call to
make sure a contractor’s license is current, and ask to see their
liability and workers compensation insurance as you could find
yourself a victim of a scam artist and in worse shape than before the
storm.
Finally, don’t let safety fall by the wayside as work is performed on
your roof. You already experienced a loss. Don’t compound your
problems by opening yourself to liability concerns.
Get prepared with a free online seminar
Register for complimentary online and on-site commercial and
industrial RoofTop Seminars events in cities across the U.S. at
www.dctaylorco.com/seminars.html, or by calling (800) 876-6346.
You can also receive a free Hurricane Preparedness Checklist via the
Web site or toll-free number listed above.
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