IBHS Engineers Advise on Homeowner Repairs

Homeowners having roofs repaired after Hurricane Charley must make sure the plywood panels protecting their homes are nailed in place.

Engineers from the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) surveying damage throughout Florida have reportedly observed plywood roofing material was often stapled and not nailed originally, allowing it to be pulled off the home by the hurricane force winds.

Staples were allowed under the Florida Building Code until 1994, but
outlawed thereafter.

If one’s shingles have been blown away, this is the time for their roofer to check the attachments. If the decking was stapled in place, the roof should now be re-nailed to the rafters before the roof covering goes on.

IBHS recommends using 8 penny ring shank nails. The ring shank acts like a screw, holding it more securely into the wood than a smooth shank nail. Space them no more than 4″ apart at gable ends, 6″ everywhere else. This would only reportedly add a few hundred dollars to the cost of roofing an average size home.

For more information on rebuilding after Hurricane Charley, or building
disaster resistant homes, visit http://www.disastersafety.org .