Amenity Roofing & Siding

How Tornado Damage Can Affect Your Roof

tornado damage

Tornadoes are one of the most dangerous weather patterns, as they can occur both during a thunderstorm and on an ordinary day. The danger comes from how focused they are and that they happen directly in contact with the ground. Even a smaller tornado can cause significant damage to your house. 

Your home’s roof is one part that will take a large brunt of the impact. It’s not uncommon for it to take tornado damage requiring extensive repairs. You’ll be lucky enough if the roof stays attached.

Here’s how exactly a tornado causes roof damage and what you can do to protect your home. 

Tornado Damage Causes

Tornadoes can happen during rainy conditions or even dry weather. The way they do their damage is primarily by the strong winds produced. They pick up anything they can and can fling objects miles away. 

Wind

The first way a tornado will damage your house is with wind alone. Tornado wind speeds can get high enough that automobiles may become airborne. Even the weakest tornadoes in the world are strong enough to knock over a person and pick up a child. 

With that said, any tornado can prove more than enough to cause storm damage to your roof if they make contact. High winds can curl or peel shingles and potentially tear them off completely. You’ll see some granule loss and may develop chimney issues. 

If you have solar panels secured onto your roof, they may be at risk as well. Most are made to handle winds up to 140 mile-per-hour gusts, and the average tornado only goes up to 100 mph. 

Flying Debris

You already know that tornados will tear things up with their high wind speeds. However, those objects and debris don’t just stay in the air indefinitely. They eventually get thrown out of the tornado at high speeds. 

Tornado debris can be anything like rocks or branches. Your home may also get hit by things like lawn umbrellas, chairs, trash cans, or worse. 

Your roof insurance should cover damage caused by flying debris, even if it’s from your outside furniture. 

Hail

In addition to random debris, your roof may take a beating from hail. Not every tornado produces hail, but it’s a common occurrence. Large hail often appears near the center of where tornadoes form. 

Roof damage from hail looks like pock marks or small dimples. Even if it doesn’t completely tear apart your roof, the hail damage can create holes. Damage from larger hail is more severe. 

How Roof Damage Affects Your Home

When your roof receives tornado damage, that means it isn’t able to protect your home as well as it should. In the short term, you can expect water to leak through and your home’s air conditioning to leak out.

Longer-term problems include mold and mildew. The water damage may also get to the point that your roof structure becomes compromised. 

It’s important to assess your home after a storm or tornado to make sure everything is still intact. 

Preventing Storm Damage

The best way to protect your roof and home from a tornado is to take preventative measures. Preparing your house may include replacing your roof with stronger materials, securing your roof on an older home, or storing outside furniture. 

Buy Strong Roofing

Naperville roofing needs to be strong enough to hold up to the high winds produced by a tornado.

Asphalt shingles are one of the most common types of roofing. However, they aren’t as durable as other options and can get blown off or damaged by heavy winds. 

Metal roofs last longer and can withstand extreme weather conditions. The only problem is that they’re more expensive and may make noise during storms. 

Concrete tiles are another strong material, but they’re heavy and require a strong home structure. The same goes for clay and slate roofing. Clay and slate may also break when hit by tornado debris.

Connect Your Roof

If you have an older home, there’s a chance that your roof isn’t connected to your walls. Newer homes have a strong roof-to-wall connection as a requirement. Clips, straps, and brackets can secure your roof and provide more overall stability to your house. 

Secure or Store Outdoor Property

Those who want to reduce damage to their homes and roofs need to secure their outdoor property. That may mean tying or nailing things down like tables and chairs. Anything you can’t secure should be stored inside of your house or in a shed. 

Additionally, homeowners should remove any large or loose tree branches on their property. It won’t take much for those limbs to come down on top of your roof. 

It’s good practice to assess your roof before a major storm as well as afterward. There could be lingering problems that may get exacerbated after a tornado hits. 

When to Call a Professional Roofer

It may be time to call in for professional roofing in Oswego, IL if you experience any signs of roof damage. These include roof leaks, a sagging roof, visible damage, and higher energy bills than normal. 

A leaking roof can lead to extensive water damage and mold. If your roof is sagging, that’s likely due to the leak. 

You may also be able to see the roof damage without an assessment. This is most common when you have shingles, as they can litter your yard after a heavy storm. 

A professional roofer will assess the problem and help put it back in good shape. They may also recommend changes that can prevent future roof damage. 

Professional Roofing in Naperville, IL

Your home is the safest place to hide out when a tornado hits your town. Most houses are built strong enough that the average tornado won’t be able to tear off your roof or destroy any walls. However, the roof is still likely to take some tornado damage afterward. 

Amenity Roofing, Siding & Gutters LLC can help with your roof repair, replacement, and more. We also work with your insurance company to get you the best deal. Contact us to learn more and to find a nearby roofing contractor. 

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