Abstract: An airflow-controlling valve is described for a soffit vent in which a one-piece valve member normally lies below a housing, both parts being deeply hill-and-valley deformed to give ample surface area for apertures essentially equal to the full area of the vent opening itself, allowing two-way venting flow unless and until inward-acting pressure reaches a certain strength, wherewith the valve is pushed up to close quietly against the housing to block flow; the valve falling opening again if the pressure differential reverses or simply subsides below that certain strength.

Abstract: A valved cover is described for controlling air flow through perforated-strip-type soffit vents surrounding houses. The narrow, continuous vents are completely enclosed except for valved portholes in the cover, the flap valves being stiffly hinged to stay open (and quiet) in most weather to allow two-way ventilating air flow between outdoors and attic/roof space. The valved covers “harness” very strong winds: those on the the windward have their valves blown closed, blocking potentially destructive wind/rain entry into the attic/roof space, while those facing lee sides remain open so that the attic/roofspace is connected only to the wind-depressurized lee-side air and is therefore itself depressurized, helping hold the roof envelope together. The valved covers can be factory-mounted on the soffit panels and flat-folded for compact shipping and handling.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrofit connection of a roof frame to a support member therebelow includes a claw member having a load bearing flange to be driven into an interface between a roof sheathing and a top edge of the roof frame, and a tie-down member to be mounted to a vertical surface of the support member. The tie-down member is connected to the claw member to allow various angular positions of the load bearing flange depending on roof slopes.

Abstract: A method for securing a roof sheathing and shingles in a retrofitting reinforcement of an existing roof structure, the shingles being laid on the roof sheathing in a partially overlapping pattern, comprises (a) driving a plurality of fasteners down through selected shingles and the roof sheathing in a selected area of the roof structure into at least one of underlying roof frames; and (b) applying a water-resistant coating to the roof structure to seamlessly cover exposed surfaces with exposed ends and sides of all shingles in the selected area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for tying down an existing roof frame to resist windstorm uplift forces, in which an elongate connector is inserted slantingly upward through a hole through the roof frame, allowing an upper end of the connector to protrude from the roof frame to receive a head member which is detachably attached thereto in order to prevent the roof frame from moving upward relative to the connector under an uplift force. The lower end of the connector is secured to an underlying wall such that the connector applies a restraining force against wind uplift forces.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrofit connection of a roof frame to a support member therebelow includes a claw member having a load bearing flange to be driven into an interface between a roof sheathing and a top edge of the roof frame, and a tie-down member to be mounted to a vertical surface of the support member. The tie-down member is connected to the claw member to allow various angular positions of the load bearing flange depending on roof slopes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for tying down an existing roof frame to resist windstorm uplift forces, in which an elongate connector is inserted slantingly upward through a hole through the roof frame, allowing an upper end of the connector to protrude from the roof frame to receive a head member which is detachably attached thereto in order to prevent the roof frame from moving upward relative to the connector under an uplift force. The lower end of the connector is secured to an underlying wall such that the connector applies a restraining force against wind uplift forces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for tying down an existing roof frame to resist windstorm uplift forces, in which an elongate connector is inserted slantingly upward through a hole through the roof frame, allowing an upper end of the connector to protrude from the roof frame to receive a head member which is detachably attached thereto in order to prevent the roof frame from moving upward relative to the connector under an uplift force. The lower end of the connector is secured to an underlying wall such that the connector applies a restraining force against wind uplift forces.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting an overhang area of a roof structure of a building comprises spraying an adhesive material to a soffit to secure the soffit to a wall and/or the roof structure. The adhesive material may be further applied to seal the perforations of the soffits.

Abstract: A method for securing a roof sheathing and shingles in a retrofitting reinforcement of an existing roof structure, the shingles being laid on the roof sheathing in a partially overlapping pattern, comprises (a) driving a plurality of fasteners down through selected shingles and the roof sheathing in a selected area of the roof structure into at least one of underlying roof frames; and (b) applying a water-resistant coating to the roof structure to seamlessly cover exposed surfaces with exposed ends and sides of all shingles in the selected area.

Abstract: A retrofitting apparatus for reinforcement of an existing roof frame structure includes first and second plates normal to each other and mounted to a roof support member and a side of a roof frame, respectively. A load bearing member with a free end projects from a top en of the second plate to engage the roof frame at the side of the roof frame in order to prevent the roof frame from moving upwardly under uplift forces.

Abstract: Counter pressure methods and apparatus for protecting roofs are described, which ensure that indoor air pressure remains negative, that is lower than ambient outdoor pressure during severe windstorms, thus counteracting and thereby reducing the uplift force on the roof surface of a building. In accordance with different embodiments of the invention, one-way valves are provided in openings in the building envelope, such as window openings, or installed over the vents into the roof space so that indoor air flows freely out of the building to a lee zone through the one-way valves while the high air pressure on the windward sides can cause little inward flow because the one-way valves quickly blow closed under wind pressure. According to a further embodiment a Venturi-tube is mounted vertically through or alongside the roof so that its open top forms its own low pressure suction area to draw air from either or both the indoors or the roof space to the same effect.

Abstract: The invention comprises the insertion of anchors into suitably located wall cavities, each anchor being suspended by cables extending up through the wall top and into the roof space; then making fast each anchor by the injection into the cavity above the anchor of a hardening, adhering liquid “plug” of sufficient size and strength, pressing down upon the anchor and strongly adhering to the confining internal surfaces of the cavity. Especially in cases where there are no wall cavities, or none readily accessible, the invention encompasses anchoring the roof to or through the exterior surfaces of suitably located walls by means of long vertical straps; these extend up through the ceiling sufficiently into the roof space, taking the place of the cavity anchors and cables.