Preparing your roof for storm season is vital to your home’s safety and structural integrity. High-speed winds, heavy rain, hail and snow may damage your property. Roofs with existing issues like leaks, cracks or missing shingles can be more susceptible to torrential storms. Protecting your home and preparing your roof for extreme weather is crucial.
Types of Severe Weather and Their Effects on Roofs
A storm can severely impact your roof. Extreme weather may have different effects. Knowing the potential damage these factors can cause and how to prepare best can assist you in protecting your home.
1. High Winds
High winds can lift off shingles and other roof components. Wind storms may also uproot trees and tear off limbs that can land on your roof.
Roofers can help secure loose objects and components in preparation for storm season and seal areas to help prevent gale-force winds from penetrating your roof. Consider having your roof inspected if you see lifted shingles or missing shingles.
2. Heavy Rain and Flooding
Heavy rain may penetrate the outer layer of your roof, allowing moisture to seep into the interior of your home. The moisture damage can cause roof rot, mold growth, leaks and structural damage.
Torrential rain may cause your gutters to flood, preventing water from channeling away from your roof and foundation. Consider clearing your gutters and downspouts in preparation for the rainy season in order to allow them to work properly.
3. Hail
Hail can cause dents in your shingles, granule loss, damage to roof penetrations, exposing your attic and interior roofing regions to the elements. Routine inspections may help identify less obvious or hidden hail damage, fixing components before more significant damage occurs to your roofing structure. Consider making additional checks after hail storms.
4. Snow and Ice
Snow and ice can be a significant burden on your home. Snow and ice are heavy, causing stress on your roof. If too much snow accumulates, your roof could collapse from the weight.
Ice may also build up on your roof, forming dams. These frozen sections can damage your gutters and tear your roof’s flashing. Ice and snow eventually thaw, too, which may cause moisture to seep through cracks or vulnerable points.
Inspect your roof for vulnerabilities, maintain your gutters and consider other methods to secure your home.
Steps for Preparing Your Roof for Severe Weather
To prevent storm damage to your roof, consider regular maintenance and inspections, clean gutters and downspouts, support your roof structure, protect against hail damage by choosing impact resistant shingle and winterize your home.
1. Regular Inspections and Maintenance
Getting routine inspections and maintenance on your roof can help you identify minor issues before they become major problems. Expert roofers may find less obvious faults.
Roofing inspectors may check your roof and attic, helping identify any leaks, cracks, damaged components and insulation or ventilation problems.
2. Cleaning Gutters and Downspouts
Unclog and clean your gutters and downspouts to help your roof drainage system operate efficiently. Remove debris, leaves and buildup to enable water to drain away from your home.
Consider installing gutter guards to prevent debris accumulation and allow water to move without pooling.
3. Reinforcing the Roof Structure
Protecting your home from severe weather includes securing your roof structure:
- Reinforce loose shingles: Shingles may not be uniform, leaving some vulnerable to extreme weather. Securing weak shingles or replacing them can help your roofing structure.
- Seal roofing components: To further secure your roof, you can use roofing cement or construction adhesive to try to keep shingles.
- Secure flashing: Flashing keeps rain out of your home. Reinforce, seal and replace any deteriorating flashing.
- Install metal clips: You can strengthen your roof with tie downs, known in certain regions as “hurricane” clips. The twisted metal ties connect your framing, fortifying your roof.
4. Protecting Against Hail Damage
A good way to protect your roof from hail is to select solid, hail-resistant roofing materials like:
- Modified Asphalt shingles.
- Metal shingles and panels.
- Slate tiles.
- Rubber or synthetic tiles.
5. Winterizing Your Roof
Snow, ice dams and dips in temperatures may severely impact your home. Winterize your roof by:
- Removing snow buildup: During light snowfall, you can hire professional roof snow removal experts to prevent buildup.
- Ensuring proper insulation and ventilation: Insulating and ventilating your attic allows the region to stay warm during snowfall and temperature dips.
- Cleaning gutters: Clear blockages and check gutter guards to prevent ice dams.
- Getting inspections: Request a roofing inspection before winter and the first expected snowfall.
- Landscaping: Professionals can trim back trees to remove limbs near your roof.
Additional Tips for Preparing Your Home for Severe Weather
To further prevent storm damage on your roof:
- Secure items: Bring loose items indoors where you can and secure any objects like outdoor furniture.
- Create an emergency kit: Prepare for power outages and establish evacuation plans with your family. Stock up on essential supplies, so that you are ready should severe storms roll in.
- Plan for emergency repairs: Even if you take all necessary precautions, damage can still happen. Ensure you have a reputable roofing and emergency repair company on standby to help quickly mitigate damage. Establishing a relationship with a company may also help you have a post storm repair plan.
Partner With Professionals to Protect Your Home From Storm Damage
Storm damage to your roof can impact the safety and security of your home. Preparing for severe weather may reduce the damage to your property and roof, possibly helping you save on major repair costs.
The best way to protect your roof is to keep on top of maintenance and repairs. A professional company can help you do this effectively and routinely.
RoofAid USA is happy to partner with you and help with routine inspection and roof care. We are a family-owned business with over 35 years of experience. To learn more about protecting your home from severe weather, reach out to us.
