Spring and summer bring about lots of thunderstorms throughout Iowa—which means high winds and potential damage to your flat roof. Maintain your building’s safety and keep out moisture with preventative measures. 

Here are a few facts about wind and your commercial flat roof that you should know for when a bad storm and gusty winds hit your building.

Wind Uplift

Even without the pitch of a sloped roof, flat roofs still deal with wind damage. Wind uplift is one of the more destructive issues that roofs face and it is when wind gets underneath the roofing materials and pulls them up. Wind uplift is often why you see wrinkles or bubbles on your flat roof, and it means the roofing material is no longer securely attached.

Further Causes of Damage

When strong winds lift your flat roof material, rain and snow can get underneath. This worsens the damage caused by the wind uplift because the materials under the roofing membrane will be exposed to moisture.

This moisture can lead to rot, corrosion, staining, mold, and termites. Debris can also blow under the membrane if it’s lifted. 

How to Prevent Wind Uplift

High-quality roofing materials that are expertly installed and maintained stand the best chance against wind uplift. When you have Duerson Corporation install your Duro-Last flat roof, you can rest assured that your roof is fastened as securely as possible. Once you’ve had your roof installed, regular maintenance and inspections are what will ensure your roof continues to stay in the best condition—especially during and after extreme weather.

Wind Scouring

Aside from wind uplift, another type of damage wind creates on your flat roof is wind scouring. Wind scouring happens when a gust of wind is strong enough to blow off the granules from the roof or deplete the gravel on a BUR roofing system. Because this type of damage isn’t as noticeable, it can happen slowly over time and be even more damaging than wind uplift.

Unless you hire a professional to check for damage on a regular basis, this type of damage can go undetected and wreak havoc on your flat roof.

Determining Wind Severity

You may be wondering how severe winds need to be to damage your flat roof and warrant a call to have it serviced. There are a few things to consider when determining the possible wind damage severity:

  • Wind Speed: The strength and speed of the wind that hits your roof greatly determine the level of damage—and it doesn’t take much. Even 40 mph to 50 mph wind can have a significant impact.
  • Wind Duration: Speed isn’t the only way wind can cause damage, how long it blows is a factor as well. Even low-speed winds can be damaging if they blow for a long time.
  • Wind Direction: If the wind blows against the direction of your roofing material, there’s a decent chance it will cause wind uplift with enough time.
  • Condition of the Roof: A poorly maintained roof won’t fare as well against wind as one that receives proper upkeep.
  • Quality of the Materials: Study roofing materials, such as Duro-Last, have a much better chance of holding up against strong winds.
  • Quality of Installation: The workmanship of your flat roof plays into its durability as well. Have your flat roof installed by Duerson for the best quality and longevity.
  • Other Weather Conditions and Climate: The climate in your area can also determine the amount of damage relative to wind speed. Extremely hot or freezing cold temperatures will affect the overall condition of your roofing system and its resistance to wind. 

Duerson Is Your Destination for Commercial Roof Repair & Maintenance

After a springtime storm in Des Moines, call the experts at Duerson to assess and remedy any issues with your roofing system. Once your roof is back in the best shape, our team will also take steps to ensure you won’t have to put money into water damage or mold remediation later on. Reach out today to talk to our friendly and knowledgeable crew!