WAS MY HOUSE DAMAGE

BY A TORNADO ?Jason A. Coffin, CFEI, CVFI OCIFire.comMarcus O. Durham, PhD, PE ThewayCorp.comRobert A. Durham, PhD, PE ThewayCorp.com

House Damagewas it caused by ?

Tornado Wind Water Age Maintenance

When evaluating lossMust make that determination

Look at a series of photos What are key elements

to determine cause of damage

Brick Joints Highly susceptible

To damage by tornado To shifting foundation

Collateral Damage Water can infiltrate damaged structure Create ideal environment for mold

growth Must determine if mold existed before

Typical Damage around Windows Wind energy trying to escape Generally pushes window out Due to how windows mounted

Drywall damage between floor 1 & 2 On first floor Opposite side from wind attack Wind venter through soffit

Drywall Damage Roof structure lifted Separate from foundation

Structure Damage Corner removed by winds

Roof Structure Damage Roof, interior walls, sheetrock Removed from portion

of house

Garage Door First item removed

Large area, no structural strength Straight winds then penetrate structure

Garage Door Opposite Side Force of wind Physically rip brick & ties

from house

Crack in Wall Not just in mortar joints Bricks break due to wall movement Contrast with foundation settling

Movement from Foundation Separate from first course of brick House picked up and set back down Barbed wire between courses

Electrical Wire Retainer Far portion held up by electrical wiring

to electrical panel Pulled all wiring in structure Necessitated rewire of house

More Drywall Cracks Caused by tornado Or was it previous foundation problems?

Flying Debris Inside Not all damage by stuff breaking Rain water, mud,

projectiles

Catastrophic failuretakes more than one element Garage door removed Exterior wall shifted Joist lost perch & roof structure failed Dominos ?

Another Forced Event

Partial Underground Not immune to severe structural damage Required demolition

Impact from Debris Interior wall Flying from neighbor’s debris

Basement Structural Wall Force sandwiched mortar Compromised structure Severe water penetration

Between Floor Joists Located underground Force twisted joists Separated nails

Only House in Areaw/ Any Damage Missing portion of roof Suspect poor framing on connection

to main structure

Damage besides structural Only roof heavily damaged Water intrusion required new

sheetrock, insulation, HVAC, electrical

Roof Structure Lifted All soffit trim failed to meet Sign of probable framing damage

Repairable Typical repairable structure

Pulled out Nails in Attic Result in caving in of roof structure

Not All Damage Is Tornado Previous tuck point repair on structure Pay for tornado damage repairs

not previous problems.

Not All Damage Is Tornado Previous repair attempt on drywall

Damage Interior Only Outside walls undamaged

Roof Structure Damage Split roof support

Pull nails most common type of repairable damage

Unpredictable Damaged vehicle Damaged house in foreground Undamaged house in distance

Recap Tornado damage unpredictable

Collateral damage is often most expense Water roof leak

Water foundation leak

Not all damage is due to tornado

Questions?