Texans blossom and warm up to the sight of wildflowers. With this warm spectacle comes the dreaded tears and sudden, impactful storms called ‘tornadoes.’ Even the most powerful and deadly tornadoes cannot completely wipe homes off the surface, but they can wreck the roofing systems. Roofs suffer the most and get overpowered by the high winds, debris, and torrential rain. Focusing on and attending to the roofs of those Texas houses that are located near tornado hotspots, roof protection is highly advised.

This guide will take you through the steps that will ease the steps to take to reinforce the roof and reduce the damage the tornado can create.

1. Understanding the Threat: How Tornadoes Impact Roofs

Tornadoes can take very different forms, but the second they set foot in Texas, they become unrecognizable. Even the tornadoes that are the weakest can tear shingles and lift the roof. Most of the roofing that is done is done in combination with the following:

These forces affect any home, although older roofs improperly installed or poorly maintained are particularly susceptible.

2. Plan For A Professional Roof Inspection Before The Storm Season

Scheduling a professional roof inspection in anticipation of tornado season is one of the savviest things to do. A roofer will spot small problems that turn into serious roof vulnerabilities when wind speeds go up.

These problems will include:

  • Shingles that are curling or loose
  • Flashing that is cracked or completely missing
  • Sealant that is weak around the chimney or vent
  • Vents, gutters, and chimneys are poorly secured
  • Areas that are sagging and signs of past water damage

Inspections will not only give peace of mind but will also identify areas of improvement to be made before a storm comes along and exposes weak areas. Most insurance companies also will appreciate roof inspection documentation that demonstrates the roof is insured before damage occurs.

3. Reinforce Shingles and Flashing and Secure Them

With roofs, the edges are usually the first places where damage is likely to occur. Once any of the edges or corners of the roof lift, the wind gets underneath the roof and starts to peel the layers away.

These will include:

  • Shingles that are damaged and are older than can be replaced with high-wind-rated shingles.
  • Reseal or re-nail any loose edges of the flashing.
  • Loose edges should be lifted and then secured down, along with any other vulnerable edges, using roofing cement.
  • Ridge vents, drip edges, and valleys should be tight and checked to make sure everything is sealed.

Make sure, if it was recently replaced, that the contractor performed the right number of nails per shingle and that the edge materials have the proper building code for local wind resistance.

4. Removing Items Around the Property that Could be Thrown by the Wind

Tornadoes are very severe weather phenomena that have the potential to develop very quickly and with little warning. This is why it is very important to make sure that the yard around the building and the roof are neatly maintained and free of any loose items or overhanging dangers well before tornado season approaches.

Here are some steps that should be improved:

  • Cut back any tree branches that grow over the roof or close to the roofline.
  • All outdoor items should be secured or stored away, including patio furniture, grills, and lawn maintenance items.
  • Remove any blockages that are present inside gutters and downspouts to allow for free-flowing drainage.
  • Confirm that solar panels and satellite dishes have been installed by professionals and are well secured.

Most of the damage caused to roofs during tornadoes is due to flying objects and other debris. If the winds start blowing very heavily and there are a lot of loose or heavy objects around, then having them secured down close to the home will make a difference.

5. Install Hurricane or Tornado Clips

For some homes in Tornado Alley, the investment in some structural reinforcement may be worth the cost. Tornado or hurricane clips are tiny metal attachments that anchor roof trusses to the walls of your home. These attachments help reduce the chances of the roof being blown off during high winds.

Although clips are used mainly in coastal hurricane areas, they are increasingly being used in Texas tornado areas. Local roofers and structural engineers can help assess if your home is in need of such supports.

Even if you are not adding full clips, enhanced fastening of the roof can improve roof-to-wall resistance a significant amount.

6. Strengthen Roof Ventilation and Sealing

Tornadoes can threaten your roof not only from the outside. During storms, the air pressure can change and cause sudden surges, which can blow off attic vents, ridge caps, or even sections of the vent if it is not sealed properly. This scenario is not likely to happen, but it is a possibility.

To ensure that the internal pressure does not add to the chances of damage:

  • Make sure attic vents are put in and are bolted down with storm-rated covers.
  • Inspect attic spaces for openings or poorly sealed insulation and barriers.
  • Add additional roof bracing if your attic is large and open.
  • Use weatherproof materials to close gaps around the chimneys and pipes.

Good ventilation helps to minimize the accumulation of moisture, which in turn helps to preserve the roofing materials over an extended period.


7. How to Handle the Aftermath of a Tornado

Whenever a tornado or a heavy storm sweeps through your town, make it a point to check the outside of your house as early as possible. This is contingent on the storm having lifted.

Determine whether:

  • There are also any missing shingles or roof ridge caps
  • There are dents or holes present on the roof
  • The roof sections appear to sag, or there are irregular roof sections
  • Watermarks are on the walls, or it is dripping down from the roof of the attic

After strong winds or heavy rain, step away from the house and do not try to survey the roof. At first, it may appear as if there is little or no damage; however, the damage could potentially be more than the eye can see in terms of the roof, and it could be in an extremely unsafe condition. You will be better off taking pictures from the ground and calling somebody who provides roofing services.

If the condition of your house is damaged, taking note of it will help expedite the insurance claim while also limiting any damage from leaking water inside your house.

8. Review Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy

Most people do not realize that home insurance policies do not cover wind or hail damage. Tornado damage coverage also depends a lot on the insurance policy, where coverage tends to be a lot more restrictive.

Allocate time to:

  • Identify what deductibles and exclusions you have.
  • Check if you have replacement cost value (RCV) insurance.
  • If your policy only provides depreciated value coverage for the roof replacement, you can purchase an endorsement for roof replacement coverage.
  • If your home is damaged and becomes uninhabitable, the policy should provide some coverage for temporary accommodation.

Trying to understand your policy while you still can is the best way to do it. This way, you will not be scrambling to understand the policy while a panic emergency is happening.


9. A Roof In Good Condition Is Your First Level of Protection

Your roof is the most critical level of protection for your house, belongings, and people, since you can lose a lot. In Texas, in tornado season, that protection is heavily tested. While it is not possible to tornado-proof a house, the actions you take now will significantly cut the odds of incurring expensive roof damage later.

Unlike other forms of unpredictable change, weather can be predicted and even controlled. The main thing is to always keep a weather eye on the horizon. Attend to the chosen goals. Check on progress regularly. Motivate where motivation is necessary. Assess the outside environment for elements that may be unfavorable. Train your teams; make sure that you focus the teams on the objectives.