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A powerful storm ripped through St. Louis in early August, leaving a trail of wind-damaged roofs behind. If your property is among those that got hit, keep reading. Today, we're helping you understand & fix your wind-damaged roof.
What Type of Winds Cause Roof Damage?
You may find it interesting to know not all winds are the same, and some types are more destructive to roofs than others. St. Louis and its surrounding areas are vulnerable to Tornado, Straight Line, and Derecho Winds.
Here's a short film produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explaining the basic properties of each of these damaging wind types.
Tornado Winds
Whenever and wherever conditions are right, tornadoes are possible. One of nature's most violent forces, these fast, hard-hitting storms have the energy to not only damage your roof but completely obliterate your home.
A tornado's biggest punch is wind speed. Research data suggests tornadic wind speeds can be as high as 300 mph in the most violent tornadoes. Chances are good if your roofing system is anywhere near a tornado's path, it will sustain harm.
Straight Line Winds
Although rotating winds within a tornado draw a lot of attention, straight-line winds are significantly more widespread. Also known as damaging winds, they account for half of all severe weather reports in the lower 48 states. Gust speeds can reach up to 100 mph and produce a damage path extending hundreds of miles. Severe straight-line winds cause the same threats to roofing systems as a weak tornado.
Derecho Winds
A Derecho is a widespread, long-lived windstorm associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. Although a derecho can produce destruction like a tornado, the damage typically occurs in one direction along a relatively straight path. Derecho winds may gust from 58 miles per hour to 130 mph! Roofing systems are rarely immune to a Derecho's impact.
How Does Roof Wind Damage Look?
Below are a few pictures captured while performing complimentary roofing inspections for our clients. It's common to find loose or missing shingles, chimney issues, curling or peeling, granule loss, damaged soffit/fascia, and indoor leaks after strong wind storms. Still, please be advised not all threats are readily visible, and unidentified compromise may lead to more costly remediation efforts. It's always wise to let a professional have a look.
My Roof has Wind Damage, Now What?
Contact Eureka Contracting & Roofing. In thirty years of business, we've seen and remedied every type of severe wind damage! Not all wind harmed roofs require total replacement. Homeowner's appreciate our ability to fix their damage whether by providing full roof replacement or repair services. Locally owned and operated, you can trust our commitment to guide you through every stage of the roof repair process – from scheduling your free inspection to helping you through the insurance process, all with our unwavering support.
Interested in learning more about roof repair for storm damage? Check out these other related blog posts:
About the Author:
Eureka Contracting & Roofing is a top-rated, Veteran owned, fully licensed, and insured roofing business located in Eureka, Missouri. By putting 30 years of experience to work, we ensure that our residential and commercial customer's roofs, gutters, shingles, soffits, and siding are expertly installed, maintained, repaired, or replaced. We make properties better– the proof is in the roof!