Wind Damage To Roof
Mighty Dog Roofing provides the the best choice located at Plano Texas for wind damages to roofs professionals will work diligently to restore your home’s rooftop as quickly as possible. It’s a nightmare to see the roof being damaged by wind in Plano Texas. But, once the weather system has passed through, you’ll need to remain calm and contact our roofing company immediately after speaking with the homeowner’s insurance representative. No matter what you do, stay clear of the “snowbird” people who are likely to be swarming around your neighborhood looking to get you sign a contract that allows them to repair your rooftop. We won’t ever ask you to permit us to do any work that is done on your property. We simply want to complete the job properly so that we will gain your trust.
Roof Shingle Wind Damage – Clearing Up the Confusion
Preparing Your Home for Wind Damage Before the Storm
If a hurricane, tornado or severe storm is threatening, there’s barely enough warning to locate a suitable shelter, and even find the time to shield your home and property from the inevitable damage caused by wind. That’s why you need to prepare your home before the storm strikes.
In order to do this you’ll need to think about the characteristics of your home, your financial resources and the building codes in your neighborhood. Here’s a homeowner’s check list from the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
How to Prevent Wind Damage
- Be aware of the risks. Are you aware of the dangers in your community? What are the most frequent reasons for windstorms and flooding in your neighborhood? Contact your emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more details.
- Be sure that the roof sheathing has been correctly installed. Roof sheathing refers specifically to the plywood or boards that are connected to the roof rafters and trusses. When a storm is severe winds, the force of wind flows from the roof downwards to the exterior walls and eventually to the foundation. Wind damage can be caused to homes if it isn’t correctly transferred to the ground during the storm. Wind is transferred to the ground by properly installed sheathing. Check that the nails for sheathing haven’t missed the rafters. You’ll need to redo any sheathing nails that aren’t in the rafters.
- End gables must be secured to the roof. End gables (side walls of roof) are susceptible to being blown off the roof by hurricanes or winds. Gable bracing typically consists by two-by-fours placed in an “X” design at the top and bottom of the attic. It runs across the top of end gables to the brace of the fourth truss, and from the lower end of the gables up until the roof’s highest point as per the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
- Galvanized hurricane straps can be used to secure your roof to the wall. Galvanized hurricane straps help ensure that the roof is secured to the walls during the event of a severe storm. If you reside in an area that is at a high danger of hurricanes, be sure to put these straps on.
Verify that the garage door is properly secured. The garage door can easily be torn in a windstorm, allowing wind to enter your home and blow out windows, doors, and roofs. To help, you should contact a reputable garage doors firm.
- Make sure your windows are protected with storm shutters. Storm shutters are one of the most efficient ways to shield your home from strong winds. You can purchase these in aluminum, wood or steel.
Wind Damage and Water Intrusion
Hurricanes, tornadoes, gales or even just strong winds can cause massive destruction to your home. A lot of people have seen photos of homes that were destroyed by the wind or trees crashing through walls. But the damage can be minimal. A loose or missing shingle, a leaking gutter pulled away from the home, or a shattered seal around a vent or window allows water to enter the structure, causing serious damage over time.
The building process of a home is quite simple, however every component has a role to play. The water flows across the shingles to the gutter that carries it towards the ground and then away from the structure. The seals around the openings such as windows, doors, and vents keep rain from getting inside the house. The wind can cause any component of the system to break, and then water can get into the house and take its toll. This could affect the structural integrity of your home.
Sometimes the damage is not obvious at first. Water can flow down the walls’ interiors and accumulate on the wood beneath and behind walls. Leaks in the roof can cause rainwater to seep through sheetrock and insulation, causing damage to the structure. Over time, this will cause the wood to rot as well as mold and mildew develop and ultimately cause serious structural damage. When there is a visible indication, such as a brown spot on the ceiling, serious damage may have already occurred.
It is essential to get a professional assessment of any issues with wind or water promptly. To expose damaged areas, walls and ceilings might need to be taken down. In order to dry damp areas, fans and dehumidifiers might be needed. Specific skills and equipment are required to get rid of mildew and mold which can linger for years and cause health problems for family and pets.
Following any unusual storm, heavy rain, or high winds You should conduct a thorough inspection of both the inside and outside of your home. It is important to check your attic for signs of moisture or leaks. Examine the soffit, gutters and windows for problems created by wind. If you are unsure then it’s time to seek out a professional who knows how to spot and prevent any further damage.
Avoiding Roof Damage And Roof Repair Costs
Most people do not check the roofs of their homes often, but are shocked to be faced with sudden roofing damage and repair cost. It is crucial to ensure that your roof is in good condition. Although it is among the areas that are difficult to access in the home, lack of maintenance could cause major damage. This can help you avoid unnecessary costs that could be put towards other essential things.
Maintenance of your roof is performed regardless of the material, while the material will depend on the weather, climate or the area of your residence. If you reside in an area with occasional hurricanes, tornadoes or heavy snow then you are likely to have roofing damage and repairs. It doesn’t matter whether you reside in a humid, hot or snowy location, it is important to check your roofs.
Roof Claims: Hail and Wind Storm Damage
The roof of your home is your primary line of defense against the elements. In a sunny day, the sun can heat your roof to temperatures that are unbearable. The roof is first soaked when it rains. Your roof shingles might be damaged or destroyed due to winds on windy days. A hailstorm may also cause damage to your roof that could cost hundreds of dollars. What damage do wind and hail storms really cause? Storm damage is the most common type. The cause of storm damage is hail winds, rain, or both.
Hailstorms in 2009 caused property damage of over $1.2 billion in the United States. This type of roof damage will often go unnoticed until other areas of your house are affected. Hail damage can cause a decrease in the life span of your shingles. Damage from hail can happen when hail strikes the shingles. The top layer of granules within the matting is removed, causing small circular marks to the shingles. These tiny marks may lead to leaks that can cause more serious damage like internal drywall rot, or damage to the roof’s decking. Even though it can take months for these tiny marks to start to leak but the primary cause of the damages is hail. Repairs delayed for too long can lead to an expiration of the statute of limitations given by the insurance company for home owners leaving you, the homeowner, responsible for all the repairs needed. That’s why it’s crucial to conduct an immediate inspection. Do not wait until you notice a leak to call an storm restoration expert.
Wind damage occurs due to powerful winds that blow the shingles so that they crack and crease, or fall off the decking of the roof. The shingles that are damaged or damaged will weaken and continue to blow back in subsequent storms. When the shingle tabs continue to blow across the weakened crease, the shingle can eventually slide away, causing the roof decking to be exposed to the elements. Sometimes, shingles can be lifted from the shingle underneath it so that debris can get trapped beneath. The roof won’t be able to hold debris underneath it. This kind of damage could cause leaks as well as problems to the roof.
Wind Damage To Roof FAQs
Often time damage from a storm is not visible to the untrained eye. That’s why it is very important that after a storm you have a qualified roofing contractor to come and inspect your home.
WHAT IF I MUST FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM?
If there is damage to your home, contact your insurance company as soon as possible for an adjuster to come to your home and appraise the damage. Remember, in a disaster situation, someone may not come immediately. Try to be patient.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A CLAIM?
In most cases, you have one year from the date of the storm to file a claim, however all policies are different and some state you have as little as six months. The best thing to do is call a roofing contractor soon after the storm to do an inspection.
WILL MY PREMIUMS GO UP IF I FILE A CLAIM?
Filing a single claim should not raise your premiums especially from an “act of God” However if a region is hit by a major storm the whole regions premiums could go up.
DO I NEED A ROOFING CONTRACTOR INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS?
You do not have to have a roofing contractor to file a claim, however it is beneficial to have a trained contractor on site to meet with you adjuster so nothing is overlooked and you get a fair assessment of the damages.
Slate Roofing Installation
Mighty Dog Roofing provides the the best choice for roofer slate roofing installers located at Plano Texas. Our Plano slate roofers are among the finest throughout the region. This makes them among the top roof contractors in Plano. Since 1960, we’ve installed slate roofing. Because we know how vital these elements are, we won’t cut corners. We’re able to deliver a high-quality product and top-quality service.
Slate Roof Installation With Hip and Ridge Joints
Slate roofs are preferred by many as they are among the best types of roofs. Though the installation cost quite a bit of money, slate roofs are great in improving the general appeal of the housing. Usually, homes with this type of roof installation have higher values.
Slate roof installation involves setting the hip and ridge joints. Before slating the roof, furring strips along the hip need to be installed. The standard thickness of slates is 3/16″ to 1/4 “. For slates with this thickness, 3/4″ furring strips are recommended. Nail these furring strips to the roof using 2.5″ hot dipped galvanized common nails.
On the bottom of the furring strips, install the first piece of the copper flashing using 1.5 copper roofing nail. To hide the furring strips, fold the bottom of the flashing.
Slate roof installation follows after the copper flashing has been nailed and folded. Install the slates over the flashing by nailing them into the furring strips. 1.5 copper roofing nails can be used but certain areas need to be attached with 2.5 copper roofing nails.
Install the next piece of step flashing over the hip slates. For this, a single nail will do. After this, nail the next pair of hip slates over it with at least two nails per slate. Fold the flashing lengthwise in half with 4″ in each side. With this, the overlying slates and flashings, the 16″ hip slates are to be overlapped halfway. Meanwhile, the step flashings would be overlapping each other by 2″.
Continue the setting up in this manner, flashing over the top of each pair of hip slates. The hip slates can be installed even without cutting and they do not to be tapered as well. To finish quickly, install the slates in pairs, not one side at a time.
Slate Roofing Made Easy – Choosing The Right Tools And Materials
It is recommended you do your research prior to building slate roofing. Preparation is the key to success, so prior to you start make sure you are aware of slate varieties, manufacturing methods flashing, sheathing, nails and roofing materials as well as slate roofing equipment.
Before you put up a slate roof, make sure that your roofing is in good shape. Slate roofs shouldn’t be installed with the slope of 4:12 (4 feet of rise on 12 feet of run). If your roof is in compliance with the requirements above, you must look into purchasing the proper tools for cutting as well as the necessary materials to finish the task.
Tools
Make sure you have the proper tools for slating and utilize the right slating tools and use. Your basic toolkit should consist of an a slate ripper slate cutter, and a slate hammer. Choose a slate cutter and not a diamond saw when cutting slates. The slate cutter produces an edge with a bevel that is identical to all other slates. Diamond blades produce a square edge that looks unnatural.
Slates
There are many slates available, and different slates may not be alike. You need to choose the appropriate slates for your roofing. Consider the quality and thickness, size and kind of slate you’re thinking about when selecting them. For instance, large slates are harder to cut while smaller slates can take longer to set up because there will be more of them.
Make sure that the nails are at the right place on the slates. The holes should be set so that you can put the nails just above the top of the slate underneath. Do not make holes that are too deep as it could harm the underlying slate.
Order the right quantity of slates. It is crucial to determine your head lap ahead of time and to order enough slates to cover it. It is recommended to purchase starter course slates separately. You will need nail holes to be used for the starter course only across the top and on the back of the slate.
Materials
Slate Nails
Good nails are essential. Choose stainless steel or aluminum nails to nail slate. For coastal areas, copper nails are preferable and in extremely harsh conditions silicon-bronze nails work best.
Use the right nail length. Your nails should be able to go through the roof deck boards when installing them. This is important because too long nails can damage the wood and lead to the boards to split or break the wood that lies behind. This will reduce the thickness of the boards and also the strength of the nails.
Decking material
The decking materials beneath the slate must last at least as long as slates, therefore it is important to select materials that are durable enough. This requirement is met by battens and wood boards that have an average width of 20-40mm. They may be rough-sawn, planned or of tongue-in-groove type. Concrete that is nail-nailed or gypsum are also durable decking materials. Avoid laminated and plywood.
Underlay
It is not required for slate roofing. The underlay serves as an insulator to water since when the slate tiles are laid down and the flashings are put on. It can also be employed to draw chalk lines. A single layer of felt 30lbs will suffice in the majority of cases.
Material for flashing
Use a high-quality flashing material. Copper stainless steel, sheet lead are all appropriate. It is better to choose a heavier material for valleys and gutters rather than ridges or chimney flashings.
Slate Roofing For Your House
If you’ve made the decision to slate roof your house on your own, there are a few things you need to have ready prior to jumping in. Here we will discuss the numerous issues associated with slate roofing. The first thing to do is ensure that the roof slopes greater than 4:2. That is, the slope should be able to rise by 4 feet on a run of 12 feet.
Roof Materials
A slate hammer, cutter, and slate ripper are among the most popular tools used to install slate roofing. Don’t use a diamond saw to cut slates that have the square edge. Instead, you can use the slate cutter to make a clean appearance.
Slate Variety
Slates can be found in various forms similar to other building material. Slates vary in terms of their quality, the type of material and size, as well as of course, their thickness. The slate you pick will determine how you put your roof up. It is essential to ensure that the slates have enough room for the nail to go through the top of the slate. This will stop any leakage.
After you’ve decided on the kind of slate you want for your roof, you must purchase the correct amount of slates. You may find that the slates you purchased are no longer available and need to go back to the retailer. You may need to purchase additional slates in case any plates are damaged during roof construction. You can buy the slates for your starter in separate purchases.
Other Materials
Slate roofing will use many nails. Choose stainless steel or aluminum nails to avoid rusting. The best choice is copper nails for those who live in extreme weather areas. The length of the nail is vitally important in slate roofing since the nails should go only far enough into the roof deck. If you go any further, you’re in danger of damaging the wood boards.
In addition to nails, you’ll be using decking items in addition. Because they are under the slates, they must correspond to the length of the slates that you purchased. Avoid wooden decks and plywood made of laminated wood. If you wish to add an underlay that will hold in water until slates are put in.