If you live in Florida, there’s a good chance your roof has been damaged by wind. It’s hard to believe that something as light as air can do as much damage to a building as it does, but the damage it causes can be significant in some cases. If you want to be sure your house is protected from the elements, keep an eye out for signs of deterioration on the roof.
Wind Loads in Florida
PSF stands for pounds per square foot, and it measures how much wind pressure a building or structure is subjected to. Building codes in Florida include wind load capacity as safety and structural integrity consideration. It’s determined by plugging in wind speed data into a formula. There are 130-140 mph winds in Jacksonville, Florida, and the surrounding area. Wind plays an important role in the integrity of your roof even if you don’t live in Florida often.
Susceptible Roofs
Winds don’t blow across roofs in a uniform fashion. The ridge caps on your roof are the highest point and take the brunt of the wind. Strong winds can come from any direction, so pay attention to any exposed corners, edges, or loose shingles. Shingles are prone to cracking, bending, or even breaking off entirely. Shingles can be lifted by strong winds without being torn off. In case of a sudden stop in wind, the shingles will fall back to the ground, leaving only a faint crease or bend. Your roof is now weak in that area, making it vulnerable to water damage if no repairs are made.
When it’s windy and rainy, the damage can be even worse. It has the ability to divert rain in a direction other than straight down, which causes moisture to collect under the shingles. A storm’s wind and water combine to push shingles up and off the roof, ripping them off. When the integrity of the shingles has already been compromised, water can collect in ridges and valleys. This can lead to mould growth.
Other Wind Damage
Other ways that wind can damage your roofing system include blowing debris. Wind can blow limbs and other debris from nearby trees onto your roof, causing damage. Trimming the trees’ branches reduces this risk. The salty spray carried by the wind should be taken into account by people who live near the ocean. Windy ocean spray can erode your roofing system more quickly than expected, especially when combined with the sweltering heat of summer. Preventing leaks and extending the life of your roof are both possible with regular roof inspections and maintenance.
Contact Roof Solar is right away if you have any concerns about wind damage to your roof and would like a thorough inspection. To make sure your roof is ready for any weather, we use a 21-point inspection system. The proactive approach we help you take at Roof Solar means that minor issues don’t become major ones!
