Ahead of spring storms, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) urges home and business owners to use its Thunderstorm Ready guides to prepare now to reduce avoidable damage, especially to a structure’s roof, which serves as the first line of defense against severe weather. Last year, losses from severe storms alone reached $54 billion, making it the second-highest loss year on record, driven by 17 individual billion-dollar events.

IBHS researches ways to strengthen buildings against severe weather, and its testing shows when a roof is damaged, that failure can lead to a cascade of damage – including water intrusion – which often results in costly repairs.

We turn our science into practical solutions for property owners,” said Senior Meteorologist Sarah Dillingham. “IBHS research shows for every inch of rain that hits an exposed roof deck, the equivalent of nine bathtubs of water can pour in and cause significant interior damage. Yet, by sealing the seams of your roof deck, you can reduce water intrusion by up to 95%.”

When re-roofing, IBHS recommends property owners ask their contractor to follow its FORTIFIED standard. Based on decades of research, FORTIFIED is a voluntary beyond-code construction and re-roofing method that strengthens buildings against severe weather such as high winds, hurricanes and even tornadoes that often produce damaging hail. In addition to the sealed roof deck required by FORTIFIED, the standard includes a provision for added protection for homes against hail.

Last year, the Storm Prediction Center issued more than 1,800 preliminary tornado local storm reports, the most since 2011. Tornadoes can be very damaging to homes, but hail is often the leading loss-driver, accounting for 50-80% of the damage from severe storms in the U.S. each year.

IBHS’s Thunderstorm Ready guides provide actions for property owners of homes and businesses to help reduce the impact of severe storms, better protecting their roofs.

• Check and clear gutters and downspouts to be sure they are secure and free of debris that may restrict water flow.
• Seal gaps and cracks on your building’s exterior to prevent water and wind from entering.
• Trim trees with branches overhanging the roof or near windows to avoid damage from high winds.
• Cover HVAC units with protective screens to reduce hail damage. 
• Service your garage door and make space in your garage to easily park vehicles when hail is in the forecast and to temporarily place outdoor items like patio furniture and grills during high winds.

Dillingham said IBHS recently launched Roofing Roadmaps, a one-stop resource for property owners to learn more about roofs. Roof 101 is the first in the new Roofing Roadmaps series, exploring each roof cover and its wind and hail test standards.

“Homeowners should know as much about their roofs as they do their kitchen floors, cabinets and countertops,” Dillingham said. “IBHS is making that easier with this new resource that levels the information playing field and will eventually include guidance on the best and worst performing roof cover materials for wind and hail.”

For more ways to prepare your property to prevent damage from severe storms, IBHS’s full residential and commercial Thunderstorm Ready guides, along with easy-to-follow downloadable checklists, are available on ibhs.org. 

About the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)

The IBHS mission is to conduct objective, scientific research to identify and promote effective actions that strengthen homes, businesses and communities against natural disasters and other causes of loss. Learn more at IBHS.org. 

About FORTIFIED

Based on decades of research by IBHS, FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction and re-roofing program designed to strengthen structures against severe weather, including high winds, hurricanes and tornadoes. Visit fortifiedhome.org to learn more about the program, including the designation process.