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University of Wisconsin-Extension
Wind
damage to buildings is not always readily apparent. For this
reason, examine all farm buildings for hidden damage after
a severe windstorm or tornado. Undetected damage could weaken
a structure, creating possible hazards. Prompt repair is usually
less expensive in the long run.
- Damaged
or missing shingles. Check asphalt shingles for cracks
at the butt end, where they may have been weakened from
flexing. Make sure individual shingles have not blown off.
Thoroughly inspect shingles on the ridge, gable ends and
eaves.
- Loose
nails on metal roofing. Inspect the entire roof, with
particular attention to gable ends, eaves and ridge cap.
If nails have worked loose, re-nail them as soon as possible.
If the nails don't hold when hammered back in, use #12 or
#14 metal screws to fill old nail holes. (Use aluminum screws
on aluminum and steel screws on steel.) In addition to screws,
re-nail 3 to 4 inches away with ring or screw-type nails.
- Potential
leaks. On a sunny day, check the roof carefully from
inside with the building doors closed. While looking for
holes in the roof, inspect the ridge, gable ends and eaves
for possible structural separation.
Inspect
the foundation. The plate should not be separated from the
studding where the foundation meets the walls. On block foundations,
inspect mortar joints to make sure the block with the plate
bolt in it hasn't separated from the wall. On stone or concrete
foundations, check to see that the plate bolts have not worked
loose.
Make
sure the silo is still plumb. Look for loose hoops. Inspect
the roof to be sure it remains fastened to the silo. Inspect
the base of metal silos inside and outside for hairline cracks.
If there is rust around the base, remove it with a wire brush.
Then check for cracks and apply a rust preventive paint. Look
for new cracks in the plaster of empty concrete stave silos.
Inspect
the interior of buildings for structural damage. Using a good
light, check the framing. Look for ridge separation, loose
knee braces and loose rafters where the rafters join the walls.
Additional resources:
Your county agricultural agent
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NASD Review: 04/2002
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