Hurricane and Earthquake Create Perfect Storm for Roof Damage; Timely Repairs Prevent More Serious Home and Health Risks
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week's record-breaking earthquake and violent hurricane Irene pummeled homes along the East Coast, potentially damaging hundreds of thousands of roofs, according to Kirk Kandler, senior vice president of retail for Henry Company, a leading provider of building envelope systems. Kandler and other experts agree that homeowners need to act quickly to repair possible roof leaks to protect their homes, health and valuables.
Impact of the Double Disasters
The Virginia earthquake -- the most powerful earthquake to strike the East Coast in over 60 years, caused an estimated $200 million to $300 million damage (1). Hurricane Irene's high winds, floods, falling trees and tornados caused another estimated $7 billion in damage. (2)
"While both types of natural disasters can wreak havoc on a roof," explains Kandler, "it is the combined effect that can be particularly harmful, causing a variety of problems as a result of the shifting roof, high winds, flying debris and heavy rainfall. This 'perfect storm' of natural phenomena act together to dislodge, and split shingles, uplift and puncture roof membranes, and form cracks where different surfaces or materials come together."
Unfortunately, much of the damage is likely to be uninsured, as less than five percent of East Coast property owners have earthquake coverage (1) and it is estimated that less than half of the hurricane damage is covered (3), placing a huge burden on homeowners whose properties are affected. Nevertheless, homeowners should contact their insurers early to determine the best course of remediation and move quickly to repair damage.
The Need to Act Quickly
According to Reed Hitchcock, executive vice president of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), it is imperative to address roof leaks immediately: "What starts as a small leak can turn into a significant and costly problem very quickly, resulting in moisture damage to a home's roof, framing, insulation, ceiling and walls and, ultimately, mold growth."
A report published by the Centers for Disease Control confirms, "Buildings with leaking roofs...are susceptible to mold growth." The report also points out that mold can appear on wet building materials within just 48-72 hours, feeding off of nutrients in wallboard, wallpaper and upholstery and causing illness in otherwise healthy individuals. (4)
Historical weather records also suggest that homeowners should proceed with a sense of urgency. According to the National Hurricane Center, the climatological peak of hurricane season is mid-September, and tropical cyclone Katia is building force offshore even now. (5)
Finding the Leak
The first step in remediation and the most difficult, according to Kandler, is to find the leak: "Eighty percent of leaks can be found at vertical protrusions, such as skylights, chimneys and roof vents. The remaining leaks are likely to be where dissimilar materials are joined, such as between shingles and flashing." Clues include ceiling staining or gaps between roofing surfaces.
Fixing the Leak
Three-quarters of the residential roofs in the United States are asphalt roofs (6). Asphalt roofs can be relatively easy and inexpensive to repair, according to Kandler. Homeowners should check their roofing warranties prior to completing any non-emergency roof repairs.
If a homeowner is comfortable climbing on his own roof and addressing a roof leak, the first step is to identify areas where the leak may be originating. If the problem area is easily identifiable, the roof repair involves four easy steps:
- Clear the area of any loose materials or debris.
- Using a trowel, apply a quarter- to half-inch of roof cement/mastic over and around the area where the leak originates.
- Apply some reinforcing fabric (available where the roof cement is sold) into the first layer of roof cement, press it in firmly with the edge of the trowel in a "waffle" pattern.
- Completely cover the reinforcing fabric with a second layer of roof cement, quarter- to half-inch thick.
Repair vs. Permanent Patch
Kandler advises both homeowners and professional roofers to choose their materials carefully, as roofing products are not all equal. Repairs that don't involve replacement of shingles typically require just three items: trowel or putty knife, a quality roof repair cement (such as premium Henry® 209 Elastomastic) and reinforced fabric (such as Henry® 183 Resin Coated Glass Fabric), all of which can be purchased at The Home Depot, neighborhood Ace Hardware stores or better roofing yards. A quality mastic is identified as one that is:
- Rubberized
- All weather
- All purpose - can be used on all roof surfaces
- Made with virgin mineral spirits/solvents
In addition, homeowners should ask for roofing cements that provide a lifetime warranty. Some mastics offer only a one- to three-year warranty, which provides a short-term repair rather than a permanent patch.
The fabric should be designed for use as a roof repair reinforcement and is usually found wherever roof repair cement is sold.
For more information on asphalt roofing, contact the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association by sending an email to: [email protected]
For more information on roofing repairs and materials, including step-by-step do-it-yourself illustrated instructions, please visit www.henry.com and click on "Roofing" or call 800-486-1278.
Footnotes
(1) http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/region-tallies-earthquake-damage-mostly-uninsured/2011/08/24/gIQAFdxScJ_ story.html. – The Washington Post, 8/24/11
(2) http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/Hurricane-Irene-Wreaks-7-Billion-in-Damage-128622478.html -- VOAnews.com, Jim Randle (Washington)
(3) http://news.yahoo.com/hurricane-irene-numbers-111200187.html "The Week" on Yahoo! ® News, August 29, 2011
(4) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5508a1.htm, "Mold Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects in the Aftermath of Hurricanes and Major Floods"
(5) http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/tropical-storm-katia-nears-hurricane-strength-atlantic-hurricane-season-still-to-peak/2011/08/31/gIQA9tB2rJ_blog.html?wprss=capital-weather-gang, Washington Post, 8/31/11
(6) Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association
SOURCE Henry Company
Share this article