The extent and frequency of extreme weather conditions have increased. As a result, storms and hurricanes occur in areas that were not affected previously. Autumn and winter storms often cause great damage as they come with gale force winds lasting several hours. However recently we have also experienced summer thunder storms with strong wind gusts. During these storms without efficient or nonconforming wind uplift protection, roofs experience tile slippage or partial removal of tiles. Often storms are accompanied by rain, hail or snow, which can then enter into the damaged roof construction unrestricted and destroy material assets. These assets can usually be replaced with the help of compensation payments, but the loss of personal, non-material items or things of historical significance and importance, cannot be replaced.
Falling roof tiles can cause material damage, e.g. to parked cars, or personal injury such as injury or death. Damage to property always means inconvenience and annoyance for homeowners; personal injury is also a personal concern.
For buildings used for commercial purposes, the possibility of follow-on damage from storm damage must also be taken into account, e.g. the loss of business due to damage of the manufacturing plant, the destruction of already manufactured products including not being able to meet delivery obligations, or becoming liable to pay contractual penalties and last but not least possible damage to your reputation.
Therefore reliable storm protection of tiles and shingles on roof and facade is necessary.
A stitch in time...
In order to spare contractors and home owners the costs and hassles of dealing with storm damage to roofs, there are now country-specific regulations in place throughout Europe. These prescribe the use of tested storm clips for new roof coverings. Rust-proof or corrosion-protected metal clips secure the roof tiles to the main battens and prevent tile uplift in strong winds. This additional anchorage is called professional wind uplift protection, but the term storm protection is probably more familiar to most home owners. The additional cost of employing a professional roofer or carpenter to properly secure one's roof is far lower than the cost of dealing with storm damage.
