How the Roof of a Home Reacts to Extreme Winds

Fast gusts can be an annoyance for the structural integrity of your house. If the winds get violent, they can cause all kinds of damage such as stripping the roof of your house. When house are constructed, the roofs are made particularly to withstand normal wind conditions in your region. But if a wind storm is very strong, your roof can only take so much to stay intact. For populations that reside in extreme wind regions such as hurricane-prone towns on the Eastern seaboard or Tornado Alley, this is a hazard. As a well-known storm damage repair company, Paul Davis has an extensive background in roof maintenance during the storm season, and we know how roofs are distressed during strong gusts of wind.

Understanding How Heavy Winds Affect your Roof

The logic behind roofs being torn off during fierce-wind storms has to do with atmospheric pressure. With wind, as it moves across your neighborhood, it will come in contact with your building. When the wind collides with your home, and in this situation your roof, the air flow will change. What happens is when wind gusts blow across the roof, they cause the air to twirl and it forms vortices. These vortices generate a suction on the roof and tugs at it.

Atmospheric pressure is the leading problem responsible for roofs tearing off. If air currents enters your house from a shattered window or an open doorway it pressurizes the air within and forces it upwards. Combine that pressurized air inside with the force of wind pulling on the exterior and the roof stands a good chance of being removed.

That is why it’s vital to, not at any time, open any windows or doors during a fierce storm. It was believed that letting the wind blow directly through your house was a good idea, but this assumption has been debunked. Bracing your windows and doors helps maintain normal atmospheric pressure, combat flying debris from breaking windows and counteracts high-pressure winds. In addition, the effects from wind pressure on your roof depend on your roof’s dimensions.

Trustworthy Storm Damage Prevention

Getting your roof examined for damaged points and areas of concern that can be fixed ahead of time will help mitigate wind damage when a storm strikes. Eliminating any point of access for the wind means you can prevent damage to your roof while the storm carries on. Precautionary steps may take up valuable time but the pay-off of an unharmed roof is worthwhile. A roof that has been examined and fixed correctly stands a better chance to resist extreme wind conditions.

Nevertheless, we know that you can only do so much and the forces of Mother Nature always give us a surprise. Whenever your roof succumbs to any type of storm damage, then reach out to Paul Davis for quality storm damage repair services. We can get your house back to its normal condition in a timely manner. Contact Paul at (712) 525-4248 to find a franchise near you.