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Homeowners should know how to prepare their roofs against bad weather, which includes high winds, heavy snow, and hailstones. Many homeowners prefer to use roofing contractors because they can assess your roof’s overall condition and devise a solution for you. However, there are some simple maintenance tips from local roofing companies near me you can follow to ensure the health of your roof.
Types Of Storms That Can Damage Your Roof
- Wind storms– Hurricanes, tornadoes, and straight-line winds can cause wind storms. These high-speed winds can blow shingles off your roof, rip tiles loose and even tear down gutters and other parts of your home’s exterior.
- Rain storms – Heavy rains can cause leakages in your roof if gaps between tiles or flashing work are damaged or missing.
- Hail Storms-Hail Storms are another common type of storm that damages roofs. Hailstorms can cause large dents in metal roofs and denting shingles and gutters on shingle roofs, causing them to leak.
Local Roofing Companies Near Me: Strategies For Protecting Your Home’s Roof From Storm Damage
1. Routine Maintenance
Maintaining regular maintenance throughout the year is the first step in avoiding hurricane roof damage. This entails arranging for a specialist to visit your house and inspect your roof. However, this will cost money, but you’ll save when you don’t need to pay for pricey roof repairs.
2. Perform a Roof Inspection
You should inspect your roof before every storm, even if there’s no noticeable damage. Look for missing shingles and other signs of damage, such as dents or cracks. If you notice any problems, contact a local roofing contractor to make repairs before it becomes more serious.
Contact reliable local roofing companies near me if you haven’t had your roof inspected in a while. They can conduct an in-depth examination and take care of any problems they uncover. If your home has recently undergone an inspection, take a walk around it to look for any changes.
3. Make Sure Your Gutters Are Clear
One of the most common causes of storm damage is clogged gutters and downspouts. If they’re blocked by debris or leaves, water won’t be able to flow away from your home efficiently, which may lead to flooding inside the structure itself and cause significant damage. To prevent this issue, ensure that you keep gutters clear of any obstructions before storms hit so that water can drain properly away from your house instead of pooling up around it.
4. Use Protective Material
Asphalt shingles can protect your roof from damage for a relatively low cost. However, Cracking and splitting of asphalt shingles, particularly during hurricanes, can lead to leaks. As a precaution, however, you can cover your roof with plywood during a hurricane to provide additional protection.
You must ensure it is completely waterproof. Despite being more expensive than asphalt shingles, plywood is one of the best ways to protect your roof. In the long run, you will save money by choosing plywood treated with a water-resistant product instead of replacing the roof after a hurricane.
With roof sheets, you can also protect your roof from heavy winds and water. But you must ensure they are adequately sealed and installed. Some products seal the roof completely, while others seal only certain areas. You may need to replace or repair the roof if you use inexpensive roofing protection products that do not seal well.
5. Remove Roof Debris
It is possible for debris accumulating on the roof to wash off into the gutters and clog them. Also, leaving debris on the roof after a storm can cause mold and rot. Ensure you keep your roof free of debris at least once a quarter, especially before storm season starts.
6. Trim Trees
If branches or tree limbs are overhanging your house, trim them. Your roof may be damaged even if a branch doesn’t fall on it. Swaying branches that touch the roof can damage or even lift shingles. In some cases, broken branches or dead limbs may crack roof beams or break through your roof entirely when they fall on it.
You should also inspect trees near your house to ensure they’re healthy because weak or diseased trees can break or become uprooted in heavy winds. You can tell your tree needs help if it has lost leaves, bark, dead limbs, or withered branches.
Also, a leaning tree could be a sign of weak roots. Trees may not hold up well in heavy winds and must be removed before storms begin. Call a tree specialist if you notice signs that your tree might not survive a storm or high winds. They can assist you in deciding if you can save the tree or if you should cut it down to ensure the safety of your roof.
7. Prevent Ice Dams
As the snow melts and then refreezes, ice dams can develop. A fully attached roof underlayment acts as an ice and water barrier. An ice and water barrier provides the best leak protection against severe weather if an ice dam forms. It won’t move under the weight of snow and ice or blow away in a strong wind.
8. Have Hurricane Straps Installed
Hurricane straps are long metal straps that hold down a roof’s shingles or tiles to the house’s frame. They’re specifically designed for high-wind areas and help prevent damage from strong winds. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes and tornadoes, this is one thing you should invest in.
Installing them has benefits besides protection. Insurance companies frequently offer additional discounts to homeowners who install hurricane straps on their roofs.
9. Keep An Eye Out For Rust
Look for any rusty nails or metal connections before the storm strikes. This is a clear sign that your roof is aging. Even a minor storm, let alone a hurricane, will undoubtedly cause your roof to collapse. It’s expensive, but you’ll need to fix your roof before the hurricane hits if you notice any worn areas.
Summary
You must understand how to maintain your roof and assess any damages if you want to keep it safe. A fallen tree or heavy branch can tear out shingles, puncture the roof membrane, and even damage the underlying wood. If you want to avoid such damage, regular inspections and minor fixes can help you avoid significant problems in the future.
