Simple, Effective, Affordable Hurricane Roof Protection

For inventor Charlie Hess the idea began to take shape in 2004 during an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season. That year included 15 named storms (from Alex to Otto), nine actual hurricanes and six hurricanes at category three or higher on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Hurricane damage inflicted in the U.S. in 2004 was nearly $42 billion.

It took four years of research, evolving ideas and independent testing before the idea Hess conjured up from watching the 2004 hurricane season was ready for market. Charlie Hess has invented a simple, effective and remarkably affordable method to significantly reduce the worst form of hurricane damage. Charlie invented a Storm Proof Roof. Now that he’s ready for the 2008 hurricane season Hess’s roof protection breakthrough evokes the classic success statement known to many inventors, "I can’t believe anyone hasn’t thought of this before," he says.

An eclectic mix of a man, Hess is part scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur. "I’ve always been interested in scientific things," Hess says, "as well as bringing new ideas to market – especially ideas that help others." That may explain why, after 25 years in the medical business, Hess founded TriCord Hurricane Products. This company would be used as a springboard to launch a new business that could save hundreds of millions of dollars for insurance companies, state and local governments and homeowners.

In 2004 it was wave after wave of hurricanes that fascinated Hess. "The 2004 hurricane season was like watching a slow-motion train-wreck," Hess said. "I was mesmerized and astounded. I couldn’t get those images of damaged homes out of my mind."

At some point in the 2004 season Hess talked to a friend – a home builder – who had also seen TV footage of hurricanes battering the gulf coast. "We were both amazed at the same thing; the unbelievable roof damage caused by hurricane force winds. And, we were both astonished that nobody had come up with a way to keep a home’s roof intact," Hess says. Now fully intrigued, Hess began digging further.

In early discovery, Hess learned the true magnitude of the hurricane roof damage problem – and the enormous opportunity for a potential solution. What focused Hess’ mind were three key issues: First issue: insurance. Hess learned that more than half of post hurricane insurance claims were due to partial or complete roof damage. After 2004, in Florida and other hurricane prone areas, home insurance premiums skyrocketed. Average home insurance premiums in Florida now were costing $15 - $20,000 per year. Second issue: demographics. Hess learned nearly half of the U.S. population lived in areas where hurricanes occurred. Third issue: the forecast. The most respected predictors of hurricane activity all agreed that the mid-Atlantic basin was a little over 10 years into a 30 year period of increased hurricane activity.

Why The Roof Is The Problem

When it comes to mitigating home and building damage from hurricanes, it’s all about the roof. Keep the roof from popping off and odds are high that the rest of the house will stay intact. But should the roof pull loose from the frame, there’s little support left for walls that are susceptible to collapse often looking like an explosion occurred. For an inventor with a scientific mind, finding the solution to the hurricane roof destruction problem was both opportunity and challenge.

At sustained wind speeds of 150 mph, such as those in category 5 hurricanes, the forces trying to pop a roof off a house can vary. A roof can separate from its supporting base when upward winds create a dramatic lifting force on overhanging eaves. Roofs can also separate when windows or garage doors are compromised and wind inside the house exerts upward forces on the roof. Roofs can be torn off for the same reasons airplanes fly – the Bernoulli principle where airflow over the top part of the roof is suctioned upward as high winds pass over the roof and create a lifting effect. A 1,000 square foot roof might weigh 10 tons. But at hurricane winds of 150 mph, the lifting force on a 1,000 sq. ft. roof could easily be more than twice the roof’s weight.

The Search For A Simple, Effective,
Affordable Roof Protection System

Once fully engaged in his pursuit of a roof protection system, Hess turned first to university research level hurricane research. He found Clemson University in South Carolina had a willing and enthusiastic research team to pursue his first idea. "My original idea," according to Hess, "was a device much like a net, pulled tight over a roof." But this idea became unwieldy for a number of reasons. The tightening factor actually damaged the roof much as it does if you tighten straps over the edges of a cardboard box.

Hess moved toward another idea – a simpler approach. He wondered what if I just added weight to the roof? Would that provide protection? And, if so, what kind of weight would be best? Keeping the simple, effective and affordable criteria in mind, Hess knew the best weighting device would be one that was easy to transport and readily available. Hess returned to Clemson, this time with another idea. Hess asked himself, "What if we use something that every homeowner already has and is easily transportable? What if we use water?"

Final Testing and Evaluation

Working with Clemson, the first test roof structure was built and a local manufacturer made the first prototype of modular water containers, tubular materials much like an air mattress. Again, more trial, more error and more findings. "It made a big difference how tubes were oriented on the roof," says Hess. Horizontal orienting created a rolling effect – like rolling logs. Vertical orientation stayed in place. Hess also learned precise placement was required before filling. The reason: once tubes were filled with water they were heavy, too heavy in fact, to be moved. Finally, material was important in forming the tubes. Tubes couldn’t be allowed to deform due to the weight of the water shifting or moving.

Hess was closing in on his simple, effective and affordable criteria. His product had evolved to a section about 13 ft. long that resembled an air mattress with multiple chambers. All sections could be easily connected before filling with water. It was an ingeniously simple home protection concept.

Homeowners could simply purchase enough sections of Hess’ Storm Proof Roof and roll them out along their roof’s perimeter.

A step-ladder and a garden hose was all that was needed. They didn’t even need to get up on the roof. Once in place, homeowners simply hooked up their garden hose to one master inlet to fill each module. The whole layout and filling process could be done in 3-4 hours on a typical 1,800 sq. ft. home. When the hurricane threat has passed, the entire system is easily drained and stored for future use in a container the size of a large trash barrel.

Hess’ concept passed muster at further testing at the International Hurricane Research Center’s Wall of Wind at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami. The final and definitive report evaluating Storm Proof Roof’s performance was issued in January, 2008 by FIU’s Structures and Construction Laboratory Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The report was prepared by Dr. Nakin Suksawang, Dr Amir Mirmiran and Dr. Aridam Chowdhury. The primary objective of testing was to determine the uplift performance of a 20 and 30 pound per square foot product over a conventional roof on both site-built homes and manufactured homes. Copies of the FIU study are available by clicking here and are also available from FIU.

Key FIU Findings

The Final Test – The Upcoming 2008 Hurricane Season

Charlie Hess’ Storm Proof Roof will be available to homeowners in time for the 2008 hurricane season. The 2008 season prediction by the Department of Atmospheric Science of Colorado State University is eerily similar to 2004: 15 named storms, four storms category three or higher and a 69% chance of a major hurricane hitting the U.S.

Considering the premium cost and deductible limits of hurricane protection, the Storm Proof Roof is much more affordable insurance. Key product benefits make up a remarkable list of Charlie’s simple, effective and affordable product.

Charlie Hess accomplished his goal and International and U.S. patents are now pending. Product can be ordered from us at www.HurricaneSafetyWarehouse.com by calling (877 548-8515).

"It’s the simple, effective, affordable protection system for hurricane roof damage I first sought after watching the destruction in 2004,” he says. “And I really can’t believe anyone hasn’t thought of it before."