Your roof is designed to handle northwest weather events like snow, ice and rain, but it’s important to know what a roof overload looks like in case it happens to your building. FEMA has identified the following warning signs that overstressed roofs might exhibit:
- Sagging ceiling tiles or boards
- Ceiling boards falling out of the ceiling grid
- Sagging sprinkler lines and heads
- Sprinkler heads deflecting below suspended ceilings
- Popping, cracking, and creaking noises
- Sagging roof members, including metal decking or plywood sheathing
- Bowing truss bottom chords or web members
- Doors and/or windows that can no longer be opened or closed
- Cracked or split wood members
- Cracks in walls or masonry
- Severe roof leaks
- Excessive accumulation of water at non-drainage locations on low slope roofs
If any of these warning signs are observed, the building should be promptly evacuated and a qualified design professional should be contacted to perform a detailed structural inspection.
