Hurricane roof reinforcement.
During hurricane season, your roof needs reinforcement. High-level hurricanes and tropical storms can damage the roofing system and result in expensive repairs. Almost ninety percent of insurance claims are related to damaged roofs. Luckily, there are three ways to reinforce your roof before a hurricane strikes and help keep your home safe from storm damage.
Reinforce the connection between the roof and the wall. Install metal brackets to tie the roof framing to the wall plate and rafters. Or, you can bolt the whole structure to the foundation sill. The type of connector you choose depends on the design load and your local building codes. To ensure the integrity of the structure, follow local building codes. Once your roof is reinforced, be sure to contact a licensed structural engineer to make sure the repairs were done right.
New information. In some instances, a homeowner may choose to reinforce the roof with concrete. While this will add weight to the house, it will not protect a home if the walls are weak. The concrete used in hurricane-reinforcement projects should have the consistency of a thick pancake mix. You can place sandbags on top of them to give the roof structure extra support. For additional protection, you can place scrap metal or chicken wire fence on top of the sandbags. Be sure to pour the concrete above the lip of the end board and overhang to provide a small slope. After applying the concrete, you should work it for fifteen minutes.
Another option is to install hurricane straps or hurricane ties. Hurricane straps or hurricane ties are metal straps that attach the rafters to load-bearing walls. They prevent the roof from detaching and provide high resistance against immense air pressures. These hurricane straps can be very important in areas with tropical weather, and can save your home and your family’s lives.
Roof reinforcement is an important part of hurricane preparation, but it should not be the only measure. It is also important to secure your yard and secure it from any potential projectiles that may be thrown up by a hurricane. You can also get a professional inspection of your roof and make sure that it is in good condition. By doing this, you can reduce your insurance premiums by installing hurricane straps and secondary water barriers.
Hurricane ties are special connectors that are often used in house construction. They strengthen various types of roof frames and are often added during the construction phase. When they are added, they ensure that the weight of the roof is evenly distributed throughout the house, improving the structural integrity of the roof work. A house is only as strong as its weakest link, so hurricane ties provide extra stability to joints in rafters, wall plates, and purlin plates.
Hurricane ties are available in various sizes and shapes. Choose a hurricane tie that matches your home’s structural members. Make sure to carefully space the hurricane ties so that they are centered on certain structural members. The length of hurricane ties depends on how long and wide your roof is. If you need to install them on an existing roof, you will need to remove the soffit. The installation of hurricane ties is best done by a professional.
When installing hurricane ties, it is important to pay special attention to the instructions provided with the hurricane ties. The instructions for installing hurricane ties should specify the diameter and length of nails to be used. It is also important to choose the same material for the nails as the hurricane ties. Using different metals can cause galvanic corrosion. This can be particularly harmful in areas near saltwater. If the ties are not properly secured, they can tear off. Great article.