After a severe storm, the most common wind damage is to roofing, which often results in water leakage that can lead to interior water damage and the potential for mold damage, according to LSU AgCenter housing specialist Claudette Reichel.

“The good news is today there are products and techniques that can withstand high winds and save you the ordeal and expense of roof damage after the next storm,” Reichel said.

After a storm, inspect your roofing for loose shingle tabs, cracks, broken or missing tabs, buckling or curling shingles, blistering, and areas that have lost most of their granules.

Examine ridge vents, flashings of vents, chimneys and other penetrations to make sure they are well attached and flat, she said. “In addition, go in the attic to look for signs of roof leaks such as discolored roof decking, especially around vents.”

Minor problems may be repairable with roofing cement and extra roofing nails. “If you need to replace the roofing, that is a golden opportunity to protect your home with a much more storm-hardy roof,” she said.

A few steps to insure that you have a stronger roof for the next storm include:

– Remove the existing roofing and underlayment.

– Replace any damaged or soft roof decking.

– Re-nail the roof decking.

– Upgrade the roofing underlayment to seal the roof deck.

–Buy and install high wind, impact rated shingles

It’s equally important to make sure that manufacturer instructions for high wind installation are followed exactly.

“Standard installation methods will not provide the rated performance,” Reichel said. “This generally involves the installation of a dedicated starter strip, instead of the typical practice of turning a shingle upside down and installing six nails per tab in specific locations.”

Find more information on high-performance, hazard-resistant housing online at www.LSUAgCenter.com/LaHouse and at the LaHouse Resource Center on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

Johnny Morgan