Tornado damage happens to be one of the most common issues for home and business owners in the Midwest and South. The tornado-prone weather doesn’t only put homeowners at the concern of their safety, but also the damage they need to repair after it.
According to research, tornadoes cost businesses and homeowners around $708 worth of damages every year. So, you can guess how many people suffer from damages caused by weather calamity.
So, what exactly is tornado damage? How many types of tornado damages are there and how do you go about fixing it? Let’s find out.
What is Tornado Damage? Types of Tornado Damages
Tornado damage is when a roof or ceiling is severely or mildly damaged by strong gusts of wind or heavy rain during the tornado. This could be due to the collapse of pillars, girders, or torn of shingles and tiles. Other structural damages caused by the heavy and continuous rain can also fall under this category.
However, mostly it’s structural damage or components being ripped away by winds that qualify it as tornado damage. The type of tornado damages in such cases include:
- Shingle loss exposes roof structure to potential water damage;
- Roof decking damage compromises structural integrity during severe storms;
- Structural displacement occurs with complete or partial roof removal;
- Soffit and fascia damage weakens roof edges;
- And skylight and vent destruction result in potential leaks and infiltration.
These are some of the most common damages caused by tornadoes to a roof. And you can get it fixed or inspected by experts at Nashville Roofing. We’ll assess the damage and understand the severity of your problem.
Therefore, imminent repairs and fixes are required to avoid further issues, like exposure to water damage or further deterioration.
How To Repair Tornado Damage In Commercial or Residential Roofs: 4 Key Steps
Now it all comes down to the basics of doing tornado-damaged roof repair. If a roof is completely ripped off, then it’ll require a lot of work, including basic structural changes and repairs.
Now, a problem of this magnitude can barely be fixed, unless it’s a home and damages aren’t significant. In either case, getting an expert from Nashville Roofing is suggested to assess the damages. Bearing that in mind, here are four key steps to repair tornado damage on commercial or residential roofs:
1: Assess the Damage
The first and perhaps the most important step is to check for the severity of the damage. This assessment can be done visually, but you can take a hammer or a mallet. This way, you can hit on specific areas and see if they’re sturdy or barely hanging on. Here are some tips:
- Inspect shingles for signs of lifting or missing sections;
- Check roof decking for any visible signs of damage;
- Assess structural integrity by examining any displacement or shifting;
- Examine soffit and fascia for weaknesses or visible damage;
- And inspect skylights and vents for potential leaks or destruction.
This way, the focus will be on areas that are severely damaged, and places that require smaller repairs. So, the resources and time can be spent evenly.
2: Temporary Repairs
Let’s say that you have called an expert like Nashville Roofing, but for the time being, you’re going to have to do some temporary repairs. These temporary repairs can prevent long-term damages. Here are four tips to do these:
- Tarp exposed areas to prevent water infiltration and damage.
- Secure loose shingles or debris to mitigate further loss.
- Apply roofing cement to seal temporary gaps or openings.
- Use plywood to cover larger holes until professional repairs.
This will fix any temporary problems and might even prevent further wind or water damage.
3: Schedule Professional Inspection
The next phase is to schedule a professional inspection of the damages. This is for those who are looking for professional repairs, and it’s suggested that they get someone seasoned to fix tornado damages. So, you have to make sure you focus on three key aspects:
- Prioritize quick scheduling to prevent further structural deterioration.
- Choose a reputable roofer with experience in tornado damage.
- And confirm inspection date, ensuring thorough assessment and repair planning.
Thus, ensuring that you are indeed getting timely help from experts, such as Nashville Roofing.
4: Permanent Repairs or Replacement
The next step is doing permanent repairs and replacements to ensure that the repairs hold. This time, the repairs might be time-consuming, and depending on the damage, they might be costly too. However, our experts ensure affordability on all turns.
Here is how you can DIY the project, or guide the experts to do so:
- Secure reputable roofing contractor;
- Confirm insurance coverage;
- Remove damaged materials;
- Repair or replace structural components;
- And install new roofing materials with proper sealing.
Thus, ensuring you have successfully repaired any damages caused by the tornado.
Conclusion
These are some of the key things to understand about roof damages caused by a tornado. Now, the structural damages to the entire structure might render roof repairs useless. Nevertheless, it’s important to take preventative measures to ensure no further damage is caused after a tornado. So, seeking services of Nashville Roofing is the right course for you, to repair damages and prevent future instances.
