NU Online News Service, Dec. 15, 12:22 p.m. EST
Recent Santa Ana winds in the West and high winds in the East have raised awareness to the roofs of businesses and homes, which are most vulnerable to damage.
Because wind gusts can peel off shingles and make projectiles out of tiles, it's important to make sure roofs are safe for the geographic area where they are located, according to a building safety expert.
“Wind is wind. Whatever the label is, it exists everywhere,” says Julie Rochman, president and CEO of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety in Tampa, Fla., noting that every area is vulnerable to high winds—whether they are hurricane, tornado or Santa Ana-type.
Roofs are frequently damaged in high winds. In fact, roof cover damage is present in 85-95 percent of wind-related insured property losses each year, according to IBHS. Building science research has identified many effective and affordable ways to strengthen roofs against wind damage.
Rochman tells NU the high-wind event that caused damage in Utah, Colorado and California provides an opportunity to make effective repairs that can promote safety in potential high-wind events.
She adds that geography is crucial, as roofs need to be prepared for exposure to water or fire. For example, she explains, in areas prone to fire, metal or tile roofs might be used, with care taken to make sure the roof cover and deck are appropriate.
Roof cover such as shingles needs to be well secured with nails and not staples, she says. Tiles need to be glued and screwed down, and a heavier felt sealed for water should be used beneath the roof cover.
Gable ends and openings for ventilation need to be checked; if they are too open they may allow the entrance of water or fire embers, she says.
Another thing to check for is overhanging tree limbs that can be blown off or fall from ice, snow and water saturation. They also can be dangerous in the case of wildfires.
Rochman adds that care should be given, especially in Western regions, to plant native vegetation around homes and businesses. Native plants and trees often are fire retardant, she points out.
Additional precautions include removing any lawn furniture or outdoor statues and using double-pane tempered glass windows. These are good for fire-prone areas as well as high-wind and rain areas, she notes.
Depending on the type of roof, she says, buildings should be inspected after any significant weather event and homes should be checked at least every five years.
Want to continue reading?
Become a Free PropertyCasualty360 Digital Reader
Your access to unlimited PropertyCasualty360 content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:
- Breaking insurance news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
- Weekly Insurance Speak podcast featuring exclusive interviews with industry leaders
- Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
- Critical converage of the employee benefits and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, BenefitsPRO and ThinkAdvisor
Already have an account? Sign In Now
© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.