Clear scope. Clean execution.
Wind Damage Patterns on San Antonio Commercial Roofs
Edge metal and perimeter failure: The FM 4435 and ANSI/SPRI ES-1 edge metal standards exist because perimeter terminations are the most wind-critical detail on a flat roof. Edge metal that was installed under-fastened, at the wrong depth, or with insufficient batten bar engagement will fail at a wind speed below what the membrane itself can withstand. We inspect edge metal engagement depth, fastener spacing, and sealant condition at the termination bar, and we document the failure pattern to determine whether the edge metal installation met specification.
Membrane field blow-off: Mechanical attachment fastener patterns are designed against a specific wind uplift pressure - the ASCE 7-22 calculation for the building's location, height, and exposure category. When field membrane blows off in large sections, it usually indicates either an inadequate fastener pattern for the actual wind exposure or fastener pull-through into degraded insulation or deck. Pull-through is common on buildings where the insulation is wet or where the metal deck has surface corrosion. We probe the fastener pullout resistance and document the deck condition underneath.
Parapet flashing displacement: Parapet flashings that were improperly bonded or had dried lap adhesive can lift and separate in wind events. The separation opens a direct water-entry point at the base of the parapet and is often the source of leak calls that come in during or after a wind-driven rain event. We inspect every parapet flashing termination and document which separations are event-related versus which show dried adhesive consistent with pre-existing deterioration.
Rooftop equipment displacement: HVAC units, condenser pads, and rooftop exhaust housings that were not properly anchored to the deck can shift or overturn during high-wind events. Shifted equipment tears the membrane at the curb flashing and creates an immediate water-entry point. We document equipment position, anchor condition, and curb flashing integrity at every rooftop unit after a wind event.
What Our Wind Damage Inspection Delivers
We produce the same structured documentation format for wind events as for hail events: a photo log keyed to a roof zone diagram, a written narrative distinguishing event damage from pre-existing conditions, and a line-item repair scope with quantities. For wind damage claims, we add an uplift mechanics note that explains the failure sequence - whether the damage was progressive from a single initiation point or distributed across the membrane field - which is relevant to the adjuster's scope determination.
We pull the NWS San Antonio storm event record for the relevant date and reference the reported wind speed, gust peak, and storm track in the inspection narrative. We also reference the IBC wind exposure category for the building's location and the design wind speed the original fastener pattern was specified for, if that information is available in the building's records or can be reconstructed from the fastener density we observe in the undamaged field.
We do not represent insureds and do not negotiate coverage. We provide the documentation. Your adjuster, public adjuster, or attorney takes it from there.
Wind Damage Repair Scope on San Antonio Commercial Roofs
Edge metal replacement: We remove and replace edge metal from the damaged perimeter sections. New edge metal is specified to FM 4435 Class 1-60 or 1-90 depending on the building's wind exposure and the insurer's requirements. We install at the proper depth and fastener spacing and weld or mechanically attach the membrane termination to the new edge metal before closeout.
Membrane replacement at blow-off zones: Blown-off membrane areas are stripped to the insulation, the insulation is inspected and replaced where wet or damaged, and new membrane is installed with a fastener pattern upgraded to the building's actual wind exposure category. We do not re-install to the original pattern if the original pattern was inadequate for the exposure - the repair is an opportunity to correct an underspec condition.
Parapet flashing reinstallation: Displaced parapet flashings are re-bonded with manufacturer-compatible adhesive and cap-stripped at the top termination. Where we find that the base flashing was too short to begin with - a common pre-existing condition that wind events expose - we replace the base flashing to proper height rather than re-bonding the undersized original.
Emergency dry-in: For wind events that produce immediate weather exposure - membrane blow-off over occupied tenant space - we can mobilize for same-day emergency dry-in using mechanically attached temporary membrane. The temporary dry-in is photographed before and after so the adjuster can see the exposed area and the dry-in coverage.
Frequently asked questions
How do you determine whether the wind damage was from the recent storm or was pre-existing?
Fresh membrane separation shows bright, unweathered adhesive residue on both surfaces. Pre-existing separation shows dried, cracked, or UV-degraded adhesive on one or both surfaces - the drying and UV exposure require time that is inconsistent with a recent event. Edge metal with bright aluminum at the exposed fastener pullout is event-related; edge metal with rust-stained pull-through holes was already compromised. We photograph both and document the basis for our classification in the written narrative.
Can you mobilize for emergency wind damage response on the same day?
Yes. Emergency dry-in for wind-exposed membrane is same-day for buildings in the Bexar County urban core and Loop 410 ring. The outer suburbs - Boerne, New Braunfels, Schertz - are same-day or next-day depending on timing. Call 210-985-8160 to reach our project managers directly.
Do you repair metal roofs after wind damage?
We repair low-slope commercial roofs - flat and low-pitch membrane systems. Metal standing-seam and exposed-fastener panel roofs are outside our commercial flat-roof specialty. If your building has both a low-slope flat roof section and a metal roof section, we can scope and repair the flat-roof section and refer you to a qualified metal roofing contractor for the metal panels.
Wind damage on a San Antonio commercial roof?
We document what failed and why - a report your adjuster can work from without guessing at the failure sequence.
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