Indiana PREPared – Purdue Extension: Tips for inspecting buildings for hidden wind damage

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 11:00 PM

After a severe windstorm or tornado, farm buildings should be thoroughly examined for hidden damage that could weaken the structure and create potential hazards. Prompt repairs are usually more cost-effective in the long run. If structural damage is suspected, consult an expert for further advice.

When inspecting a Roof, you should inspect both the inside and outside of the roof. Avoid checking from the ground unless the roof is too steep or too high to climb safely. If a ground inspection is necessary, use binoculars.

Look for the damaged or missing shingle. Check asphalt shingles for cracks at the butt end, where they may have been weakened from flexing. Ensure no shingles have been blown off. Pay special attention to the ridge, gable ends, and eaves.

With metal roofing examine the entire roof, focusing on gable ends, eaves, and ridge cap. If nails are loose, re-nail them as soon as possible. If nails do not hold when hammered back in, use #12 or #14 metal screws to fill old nail holes. Use aluminum screws for aluminum roofs and steel screws for steel roofs. Re-nail 3 to 4 inches away using ring or screw-type nails.

On a sunny day, check the roof inside the building with the doors closed. While looking for holes, inspect the ridge, gable ends, and eaves for possible structural separation.

Inspect the foundation where it meets the walls. Ensure the plate is not separated from the studding. Check the mortar joints for block foundations to ensure the block with the plate bolt hasn’t separated from the wall. Ensure the plate bolts have not worked loose for stone or concrete foundations.

Inspect the interior of the building for structural damage. Using a good light, check the framing for any issues, including ridge separation, loose knee braces, and loose rafters where they join the walls.