Wind damage is one of the most common reasons for insurance claims. If you have dealt with it before, you know how much of a hassle it can be, both to you and your family. Fortunately, there are ways to improve your roof’s wind resistance. Roofing and gutter replacement contractor, Roofmasters Roofing and Sheet Metal Company, Inc shares some expert tips:
Drip edges are a type of flashing that helps prevent rainwater intrusion at the roof’s edge. If your roof was built before 2012, chances are it may not have drip edge installed on it. Fortunately, it can be installed on existing roofs. Ask your roofing contractor to install it to avoid voiding the warranty.
The roof edge bears the brunt of wind impact during a storm and is almost always damaged at the seams. Roofing contractors like us offer roofing asphalt shingle roofs with starter strips, a type of shingle that comes in rolls and serves as the first row of shingles. Thanks to its lack of seams and its reinforcing adhesive strip, it helps minimize wind damage at the roof edge.
The roof ridge needs to have two things: properly-sized ridge vents and secure ridge caps. Traditionally, ridge caps are merely cut-up shingles. Today’s roofing manufacturers offer complete roofing systems that include components such as specially-designed ridge caps. The installation method is also different: longer nails are used for additional reinforcement against wind.
If your roof is up for replacement, take it as an opportunity to perform upgrades. Most roofing manufacturers offer complete roofing systems that are rated for wind speeds the equivalent of Category 3 hurricanes, with warranty coverage to match. Usually, you’ll see products that are labeled to have passed standard wind resistance tests such as ASTM D3161 and ASTM D7158. You’re not required to memorize these names, however, it is important that your new roof is warranted for the wind speed it was rated for.
Roofmasters Roofing and Sheet Metal Company, Inc is your leading provider of roofs and gutters. Give us a call at (785) 727-7575 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Colby and Hays, KS.