In a high wind situation, structures that are attached to a home, such as porches, balconies, or carports, are more likely to suffer roof collapse and come away from the main building. This can result in gaps in the home that allow wind and water entry.
While home insurance may provide financial protection for situations like these, to avoid claims and out-of-pocket costs as well as the inconvenience of repairs, you need to take steps to decrease the risk of attached-structure collapse occurring in the first place.
Weaknesses can be present in attached structures where the roof has poor resistance to the uplift forces of a strong wind. It’s important to check the connections at the top of the posts holding up the roof to ensure they are adequate. Nails and thin metal straps are likely to be inadequate and the roof may be vulnerable to coming apart. In addition, the situation may be worsened where the bottom of the posts has become soft over time, and/or connections to the foundations have deteriorated.
To help prevent attached-structure collapse, it’s important to have a professional contractor make retrofits to ensure that the roof is well-secured to the posts holding it up, and that the bottom of the posts are well-anchored to the foundations.
More details on securing attached structures can be found at the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). For help in sourcing suitable policies for New Hampshire homes, contact one of our expert agents to arrange a quote today.
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