Hurricanes, whether a category 1 or category 5, can unleash real damage to your roof. The combination of intense rain and wind often leads to both roofing material rips and cracks and underlayment water damage.
What determines the category of a hurricane and what commonly occurs to roofs during each? Hurricanes are categorized using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale and the categories are based on the sustained wind speed, giving an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding to be expected along the coast.
Category 1: 74-95 mph wind speeds
Tile Roof: Minor damage, potential for tiles to be blown off if not properly secured.
Shingle Roof: Minimal to no damage unless shingles are poorly installed.
Metal Roof: Unlikely to have damage unless there were pre-existing issues.
Category 2: 96-110 mph wind speeds
Tile Roof: Some damage, particularly if tiles are not secured properly, leading to water damage inside if underlayment is damaged.
Shingle Roof: Moderate damage, with greater risk of shingles being ripped off from wind, exposing underlayment and leading to water damage.
Metal Roof: Minor damage, high wind can exploit weak points, potentially leading to loose panels.
Category 3: 111-129 mph wind speeds
Tile Roof: Significant damage with titles potentially being ripped off, leading to serious water damage inside the home.
Shingle Roof: Considerable damage with large sections of shingles potentially blown off, exposing underlayment and roof deck and leading to water damage.
Metal Roof: Moderate damage, particularly if the roof was not installed properly or maintained well with panels becoming loose or detached.
Category 4: 130-156 mph wind speeds
Tile Roof: Severe damage with the majority of tiles potentially ripped off, leading to possible serious water damage inside.
Shingle Roof: Severe damage with majority of shingles potential ripped off, exposing roof deck and leading to serious water damage.
Metal Roof: Significant damage with panels being ripped off.
Category 5: 157 and up mph wind speeds
Tile Roof: Catastrophic damage is likely, with nearly all tiles being blown off, leading to extreme water damage inside the home.
Shingle Roof: Catastrophic damage, with virtually all shingles likely ripped off, leading to severe water damage inside the home.
Metal Roof: Severe damage likely, with potentially all panels ripped off, exposing the structure of the house to elements.
As hurricane season approaches, it's vital for homeowners to take proactive measures to protect their roofs and mitigate the risks associated with these powerful storms. Regular roof inspections, maintenance, and reinforcement of vulnerable areas can help strengthen your roof's resilience against hurricane-force winds and rainfall. And remember that whether big or small, getting a roof inspection by a qualified roofing contractor after an impactful weather event such as a hurricane is highly recommended for the longevity of your roof.
Based in Central Florida and founded in 2020, 3MG Solutions, LLC is one of the fastest-growing residential roofer and commercial roofing companies in the country. At 3MG, our goal is to build trusted long-term relationships with our community, customers, suppliers, and corporate partnerships. We believe this positions us as the best roofer and one of the dominant roofing companies in the country. Visit us at https://www.3mgsolarroofing.com/ OR call (407) 492-5256.
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