Tornado Season and Your Roof: How to Prepare

We're not here to scare you. If you live in Kansas, you already know the drill - watch the sky from April to June, keep an eye on the weather app, and have a plan. But there's a practical side to tornado season that a lot of homeowners overlook: making sure your roof is in the best shape possible before things get serious.

Tornado damage vs. hail damage

People lump all storm damage together, but tornadoes and hailstorms do very different things to a roof. Hail punches down from above - it bruises shingles, dents metal, cracks tiles. Tornado damage is mostly about wind. Even an EF-1 tornado produces winds over 86 mph, which is more than enough to peel shingles off, rip up flashing, and tear away sections of decking. A direct hit from anything stronger than that can take the whole roof off the house.

The in-between stuff is what we see most often, though. A tornado passes a mile or two away and the straight-line winds associated with the storm pull up shingles along the ridge line and edges. That kind of damage looks minor from the ground but it leaves your roof wide open to water damage the next time it rains.

Preparation steps that actually matter

• -Get loose shingles fixed now - if shingles are already lifting or curling, high winds will rip them right off. A repair before the storm costs a fraction of what you'll pay after.
• -Trim tree branches within 10 feet of your roof - falling limbs are responsible for a huge amount of storm damage that's completely preventable.
• -Make sure your attic ventilation is working - proper ventilation reduces pressure buildup inside the attic during rapid pressure changes from severe storms.
• -Secure loose items in the yard - patio furniture, grills, and kids' toys become projectiles in 70+ mph winds.
• -Check your insurance policy - make sure you know your deductible, what's covered, and how to file a claim. Do this before you need it, not after.

After the storm

If a tornado or severe storm comes through your area, don't get on your roof. Seriously. Walk around the house from the ground, look for debris, missing shingles, or anything that looks off. Check the attic for daylight or water. Then call a roofer. If there's active water coming in, a tarp over the affected area will hold things until we can get there - but let a pro handle the roof work.

We've been through plenty of tornado seasons in the KC metro. If you want a pre-season inspection to make sure your roof is ready, call us at (913) 605-0073. It's free and it takes less than an hour.