The 4 Most Dangerous Wind Threats for a Roof

A roof is designed to withstand the most intense weather events, but it’s not totally indestructible. As time goes by, the materials on an average roof will lose their strength, and they will become more vulnerable to wind damage. If you want your roof to go far, it’s time to raise the bar because you’re about to learn what the biggest weather threats for a roof are.

Tropical Storm and Hurricane Winds

The winds from a tropical storm and the winds that are produced by a hurricane pose different threats. While a tropical storm’s winds are weaker, they can still tear the shingles off a roof.

When a tropical storm intensifies and becomes a hurricane, its wind speeds will intensity as well. If the winds from a major hurricane come close to a home, it could compromise its shingles, the decking, or the home itself.  

Tornado Winds

Tornados are extremely powerful, so they can wreck a lot of havoc in a community. When a tornado spins, the wind that it produces can reach up to 300 mph, and the gusts can span up to a mile wide.

As for the type of damage that a tornado can cause, it will vary based on the wind’s trajectory. If a home is in a tornado’s direct path, the wind could cause massive destruction. When a home is not in a tornado’s direct path, the winds could still cause problems in other ways. For example, the wind from the tornado could lift debris into the air. If this debris lands on a roof, it could damage or destroy vulnerable sections of the foundation.  

Winds That Travel in a Straight Line

Straight line winds are produced by ordinary thunderstorms. Downward momentum fuels these winds during thunderstorms, and they can reach up to 100 mpg or more. Very powerful straight-line winds can lift weak shingles, peel and reveal vulnerable areas on a roof’s foundation, shatter glass, and uproot trees.

Derecho Winds

Derecho winds are not mighty like straight-line winds, but they can cause greater, widespread damage since the gusts can extend up to 240 miles. The worst part is that these winds can sprout tornados.

Regarding the risks, derecho winds are like hurricane winds because they can effortlessly lift branches and other objects into the air. Not only can these winds create projectiles, but they can also tear sections of a roof apart.

Overcoming a Damaged Roof

If you believe that your home has roof damage, don’t set back and leave it alone. Contact Scartelli Roofing and Exterior today to schedule a free wind damage roof inspection for your home.