NEWSROOM
Build
safer, stronger, smarter expert says
January
31, 2008
Whether you’re
house hunting or having a house built, consider the many options
available that help protect the structure against severe weather
and related disasters. LSU AgCenter Disaster Programs Coordinator
Pat Skinner explains a few basic techniques.
– “Get
hip” to roofing. A hip roof is much more resistant to high
winds than a gable roof. For any style roof, however, Skinner
advises using wind-rated shingles or roofing materials that are
certified for use in a hurricane region. Also, make sure shingles
are installed properly to high-wind specifications.
For added
protection against leaks, use an adhesive, flexible roof tape
to seal all decking joints and install 30-pound roofing felt (also
known as Type 30 or Number 30) or one of the synthetic roofing
felts underneath the roofing material.
– Test
your “metal.” Hurricane winds cause uplift forces
that can remove the roof from the home or the home from its foundation.
Skinner recommends reinforcing all the framing connections –from
the rafters all the way to the foundation – so they will
all hold together.
The most common
technique involves installing anchor bolts to hold the bottom
sill to the slab plus metal plates and straps, also known as hurricane
hardware, to strengthen the connections between the sills, studs
and rafters.
“Remember,
coastal environments and copper-based wood treatment are corrosive
and can lead to rapid deterioration of metal hardware,”
Skinner said, advising, “Use connectors made of stainless
or double-hot-dipped galvanized steel.”
– “See
the light,” install it right. “Proper installation
is critical,” Skinner said. “Many roofing failures
occur because the shingles were installed improperly.”
Something
as simple as using all the required nails in a shingle or hurricane
strap can make a big difference. The builder should clearly understand
and follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions
for any materials used in new home construction.
A number of
organizations are available to help the homeowner and builder
identify and understand installation techniques not covered in
specific product literature.
– “Shutter-up.”
The building code requires that windows be protected from flying
debris when the building is located in an area where the design
wind speed is 120 miles per hour or greater. This protection can
be provided by using impact-resistant windows or covering the
windows with impact-resistant shutters. Think about adding window
protection even if it’s not required.
– Build
high, stay dry. For maximum protection, build your home 2 to 3
feet above the base flood elevation, or BFE. Keep in mind that
the BFE is an estimate of the potential flood level, and it doesn’t
take into account changes that may affect water depth during future
floods, such as land subsidence and sea-level rise.
The BFE also
assumes that the levees provide complete protection all the time.
By building above the base flood elevation, you can increase your
margin of safety while lowering your flood insurance premiums.
– Build
your house to take a bath. Flooding of the lower levels of a home
can weaken the materials and result in structural damage. For
parts of the home that are below the BFE – and even higher
areas when there is a real possibility of less frequent, longer-lasting
floods – build with decay- and water-resistant materials.
Good choices include concrete, ceramic tile or brick with waterproof
mortar, treated wood and closed-cell rigid foam insulation. They
resist damage from floodwaters and the insects that often thrive
in wet environments. Before you build, talk to your contractor
about your choices for water-resistant building materials.
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