June 23, 2005

Determine Full Extent of Structural Damage From Storms

Storm damage to structures is obvious in many cases, but what you don’t notice immediately also may weaken the building or cause other problems.

Building owners should do a close inspection of the structure from the outside to check for damage, advises Ken Hellevang, a North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer. He says they should check whether the ridge and eaves are straight, walls are vertical and straight, and the building has not shifted on its foundation. They also should look for indications that frame members, such as knee braces, have been pushed into the siding or up into the roof.

Other damage becomes evident inside the building. Examine the trusses and rafters for signs of crushed, split or broken wood. Determine whether any members buckled, twisted, are bowing out of alignment, appear to have slipped relative to each other or have gaps between members in a truss joint. Also see whether the gussets show signs of being deformed. Look carefully at connections for indications of nail, screw or bolt holes being elongated, and see whether nails or other connectors are pulled out of the wood or bent.

Hellevang says an inspection for structural damage also should include the following:

• Examine the posts of pole buildings for crushed or broken wood near the ground or at truss connections or knee braces. Make sure the posts are straight and vertical. Look for indications that posts made of more than one board may have split along rows of nails.
• Check whether doors or windows open as they did before the storm. If they don’t, this may indicate the structure has shifted. In cases of severe shifting, water lines, gas lines and electrical circuits may have been damaged.
• If wetness occurred because of flooding or leaking roofs, look for wet electrical circuits, wet insulation and other water damage to the structure’s interior. Once insulation in a wall or attic becomes wet, it must be replaced. Wall insulation that is sealed within the structure will not dry.
• Look at the siding and roof sheeting for tears around fasteners, evidence of fasteners being pulled, and bends or buckles in the sheeting. See whether the sheets still are aligned with each other.

This building inspection also is a good time to check the wood for indications of rotting or other damage that could weaken the building, Hellevang says. Document the damage with pictures and contact your insurance company.

"Buildings that show signs of damage will need to be repaired," he says. "Truss members may need to be replaced or additional boards placed from joint to joint. Additional and larger gussets may be required for damaged joints. Additional nails or screws may be required. Nails and screws should not be placed too close to each other or they may weaken the wood.”

However, the cost of repairs may exceed the value of the building in some cases, he notes.

He suggests building owners consult a building contractor or engineer if they see several indications of damage.

"The value of machinery, vehicles and equipment stored in a building can be several hundred thousand dollars," he says. "It doesn't make sense to put that value or yourself at risk with a building that is structurally damaged.”

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Source: Ken Hellevang, (701) 231-7243, kjh-eng@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ecrawfor@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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