RIDING THE
STORM OUT
How safe is your home?
•Low pitched roofs are more
vulnerable than steeper roofs because the same factors that make
an airplane fly can help lift this roof type off the house.
•Is your roof pitched less than 30 degrees from horizontal?
•Hip roofs seem to reflect winds better than gable designs.
Is your roof hipped? •Gables of masonry construction seem to
perform better. If your roof is gabled, are the gabled ends of
masonry construction? •If your roof is gabled, are the
braces behind the trusses at both ends, holding them in place? Back to the
Roof Bracing
What kind of surface covers your roof?
Asphalt or composite shingles:
•This common roof covering may start tearing off when winds
reach 60 mph. Sometimes failure occurs due to installation
damage. Clay tiles: •This roof covering a good but apt to
shatter if hit by flying debris. Loose tiles can become
projectiles and damage others. Concrete flat tiles: •This
roof covering also does well if it was well bonded to the mortar
on the roof. Tiles that become loose can also become projectiles.
Gravel: •This roof does well if properly maintained. It
should be recoated with asphalt and gravel periodically.
Wind Turbines
•Wind turbines on roofs can be dangerous if not capped and
secured during severe winds. If you have one of these on your
roof, can the turbine be removed and can the opening be capped?
Block and frame home
•Is your home concrete block construction? Concrete block
homes are more forgiving of poor craftsmanship. They have more
strength than wood framing.
Windows and doors
•Properly installed hurricane shutters or boards keep winds
out of the house, which in turn, places less uplift pressure on
the roof. Do you have hurricane shutters installed on your
windows or plan to board up your windows?
If you answered ''no'' to many of these questions, you should
either consider leaving your home and finding a safer place to
stay when hurricane force winds are forecast to reach 130 miles
or greater. Or strengthen your home to survive these winds.
Consult a qualified contractor for further information.
HURRICANE
TRACKING
PAGE