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Tornadoes can come in all shapes, sizes, and intensities, bringing a variety of weather along with them. With winds upwards of 110 mph, the severity of tornadoes can result in uprooted trees, leveled homes, and debris being hurled about with deadly force. So if you want to protect your Texarkana home, read these tips to prepare yourself for the upcoming tornado season.
Know the Kinds of Damage Tornadoes Can Cause
Wind Damage
The wind is the most common cause of roof and home damage during a tornado and usually occurs in one of two ways. In lower-intensity storms, wind can rip multiple shingles off of a roof, or cause them to lift or crack. This opens up the roof to water damage, leaks, and UV damage, and needs to be fixed as soon as possible in order to minimize the extent of the damage and repairs. Wind speeds of 100 mph are high enough to significantly impact your roof, and while low on the intensity scale, even a strong F1 tornado can have winds that exceed that speed.
Flying Debris
As high winds pick up debris and send it flying, it can land on your roof, causing significant risks. Items such as tree branches, trash, and other potentially dangerous items can be picked up by the wind and hurled into your roof, causing dents, broken shingles, or a caved-in roof depending on the size of the debris and the speed at which it is traveling at impact.
Hail Denting
Hail often accompanies tornadoes, and once it reaches 1 inch in diameter, most roofs begin to sustain damage. A sustained hail storm, such as what may happen during a tornado, can cause shingles to break, split, crack, and shed protective granules. This breaks the seal of the roof and leaves it susceptible to water intrusion, subsequent leaks, mold, and other forms of water damage.
Choose Roofing Materials Best For The Job
If you are building a new house or replacing the roof on an older house, and live in an area with frequent tornadoes, consider the roofing material you are installing.
Consider choosing wind-resistant shingles for maximum protection. Shingles on the market have varying degrees of wind ratings, with the highest typically landing around 130 mph. Metal roofs withstand hail storms better than traditional shingle roofs because they are strong enough to withstand the impact of hailstones. Slate roofs, both traditional and synthetic, are highly resilient when it comes to weather extremes, and it is nearly impossible for wind to get underneath the material and lift the roof.
Opt For Multiple Roof Slopes
Two-slope gable roofs are common, but they are not the most wind-resistant choice for a roof. High wind forces can cause roofs to lift from your home, but roofs with 4 or more roof planes, such as the popular hip roof, perform better than popular 2-panel gable roofs when exposed to high wind force. These roofs are a great option for homes in regions susceptible to tornadoes.
Connect Your Roof To Your Walls
Making sure that the roof of your home is well-connected to the walls is critical when designing a tornado-resistant roof. Many homeowners’ insurance companies view a strong roof-to-wall connection as one of the most important factors in minimizing wind damage sustained by a home because the house is stronger when it functions as a connected unit.
Secure Outdoor Property
Besides direct repairs and updates to your roof, there are additional ways you can ensure the safety of your roof during a tornado. A significant amount of damage happens when flying objects impact the roof. Taking time to secure any loose objects around your home, such as fallen tree branches, children’s toys, planters, or other small objects will minimize the risk of objects being picked up by the wind and slammed into your roof at high speeds.
Hostetler Roofing Helps Protect Your Roof
If your home has experienced damage from a tornado, or you are concerned about its ability to withstand tornado damage in the future, Hostetler Roofing would love to serve you. We specialize in roof repairs of all types, as well as roof replacements Texarkana homes. Schedule your free estimate today.