How the Roof of a Structure Reacts to Violent Winds

Fast winds can be a concern for the structural integrity of your house. When the winds get fierce, they can cause all sorts of damage such as stripping the roof of your house. When buildings are constructed, the roofs are well designed and they’re made to combat normal wind conditions in your region. But if a wind storm is intense, your roof can only do so much to stay unharmed. For people who live in wind prone regions such as hurricane-prone towns on the Eastern seaboard or Tornado Alley, this is a hazard. As an esteemed storm damage restoration company, Paul Davis has an extensive background in roof repairs during the storm season, and we know how roofs are afflicted during heavy winds.

Why Are Roofs Torn Off During Storms?

The reason why roofs are torn away during fierce-wind storms has to do with air pressure. With all wind, as it moves across your neighborhood, it will come in contact with your residence. Once the wind hits your house, and for this scenario your roof, the air flow will change. What follows is when the wind go against the roof, it causes the air churn and it creates circular currents. These circular currents generate a push-pull movement on the roof and pulls at it.

The air pressure beneath the roof is an important factor in this. When the wind is able to get inside your house from a doorway, or if flying debris smashes a window, this will generate a high-pressure scenario inside and it will push upwards towards your roof. Now you’ll get a push from within the house and a suction pulling from above the roof. This tug-of-war is how tiles get torn off, or in an extreme case, your roof tears away from the rest of the house.

That is why it’s critical to, not at any time, open your doors or windows at the time of a big storm. At one point it was popular to think that letting the wind flow directly through your house was a good thing to do, but this assumption has been debunked. Bracing your windows and doors helps maintain normal atmospheric pressure, block flying debris from destroying windows and keeps out high-pressure winds. In addition, the complications from wind pressure on your roof revolve around your roof’s dimensions.

Trustworthy Storm Damage Prevention Approaches

Having your roof examined for weak points and areas of concern that can be repaired ahead of time will help mitigate wind damage when the weather turns. Eradicating the primary point of access for the wind means you can avoid damage to your roof while the storm continues. Prudent steps might take up valuable time but the pay-off of an unscathed roof is worthwhile. A roof that has been examined and fixed accordingly holds a better chance to combat high wind conditions.

However, we understand that you can only do so much and the weather can always give us a surprise. If your roof surrenders to any sort of storm damage, then reach out to Paul Davis for professional storm damage restoration services. We can get your home back to a good condition in a timely manner. Contact Paul at (616) 647-5514 for a franchise near you.