Of the many ways that a roof can be damaged, wind is one of the most significant and costly elements of nature. During tornadoes and hurricanes, so much stress is placed on the material that shingles and sheets easily fly off, exposing the rest of the structure. Once a few shingles are gone, more usually follow because of their placement on the surface, peeling off in layers and creating much more damage. Every roof should be made wind-resistant, especially in any areas where wind-producing storms are more frequent.
Material
Protecting a roof from harmful wind depends largely on material and installation; poor workmanship contributes greatly to any damage. An experienced roofer is well-educated on what provides durability against the wind and knows the best type of installation for each different roofing product.
Installation
Shingles are made from many different materials and each type must be attached in a certain way to ensure optimal performance. Nailing offset of the recommended spots or not applying adhesive in the proper place, can be enough to cause wind damage. Nails that are either not long enough, too long, too smooth or otherwise unfit can do the same. Even having a pneumatic nail gun set at pressure that is too high can cause shingles to rip off a roof if the nail heads have been driven too low underneath the flush level of the shingle.
Adhesive
Another main concern in the prevention of shingle loss during high wind is adhesion. Besides requiring nailing, most asphalt shingles are made with a strip of adhesive already applied, covered by a strip of cellophane. Normally, the cellophane is left on with the idea that the sun will eventually cause enough heat to destroy it, allowing the adhesive to stick to the shingle below; unfortunately, this does not always work as planned. If the adhesive does not work and the layered shingles do not stick together, there is no seal and the roof will be neither water nor wind proof.
Better Function
Any weakness in either the material or application is a recipe for wind damage disaster. The good news is that in the aftermath of the major storms occurring over the past ten years and the amount of damage caused, manufacturers went back to the design board and recreated new products. With the help of insurance companies and forensics specialists, there are now a number of shingle options that function better, withstand tearing and peeling, and offer better adhesion. Although the cost is about twice as much as regular shingles, in high-risk areas, the price is well worth the result.
The best way to prevent a roof from wind damage will always be the proper choice of materials and installation. Be wary of what wind damage can do to a roof and get the advice of a good roofing contractor to avoid any wind-related problems before high winds hit!
Call Schulte Roofing For Any of Roof Houston Concerns!
Are you searching for the best roof Houston contractor in the area? Schulte Roofing at 800-367-7663 are the ones to contact for help in securing a roof from all the elements of nature, including those damaging, gusty winds!