Florida isn’t always the calmest place climate-wise, and weather conditions can turn sour quickly. For many people, the heat and sun in the state is enough to make it through the tough times.
Still, damage to your home is likely, especially if there is a hurricane or high winds. One of the issues you may deal with is called “uplift.” Uplift is when the wind comes into contact with your home and pushes upwards. When this happens, the wind immediately impacts the roofing, potentially ripping it from its position.
What happens when high winds cause uplift?
It depends on the roof on your home. If it can withstand the level of wind hitting it, then nothing will happen. If it’s too weak, however, there is a high risk that it will be separated from the building structure and pulled away. In some cases, people’s roofs have literally blown away.
If there are cracks or openings below the roofing, this actually increases the pressure caused by uplift and can result in higher uplift activity along with worsening damage.
What kind of damage does uplift cause?
The damage isn’t always noticeable right away, but uplift can cause several kinds of damage. Here are a few:
- Leaks
- Gaps between battens and rafters
- Twisted barge caps
- Loose or protruding nails or screws
Simple signs like these may show that your roof has been damaged, and that’s something you’ll need to address quickly.
What do you need to do if uplift damages your building?
It depends on your circumstances. If you have homeowner’s insurance and see damage after a storm, you should contact your insurance agent to have him or her come to look at the damage. If the damage is bad enough, the insurance company should approve repairs. However, if the roofing selected isn’t strong enough in the future, then uplift will be a possibility again. It’s always a wise idea to work with professional contractors to find the best type of roofing for your location.
If your insurance company doesn’t want to cover the cost of upgraded or more significant roofing systems, you may be able to appeal any decisions they make and seek coverage for an appropriate repair. Insurance companies do sometimes try to settle for lower amounts than they should, but the primary concern you should have is getting the right repairs done to prevent further damage to your home and property.