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Storms and high winds can be devastating, and preparing your roof to stay intact despite the predicaments should be your priority. Replacing a whole roof is expensive, so why not do all you can to avoid that and protect your home.
It’s about time you got a roofing expert involved in your plans, and this page can tell you all you need to know. Either way, you can research the bit to help you prepare all the materials you will need for your roof. This guide explores every fact you need to know.
It’s essential to understand what kind of storms your roof should be able to withstand.
Common Types of Storms
Storms come in varying strengths, and every kind of storm can cause some damage to your roof. After a storm, having your roof assessed is vital to spot damages like leaks.
Small leaks may eventually become massive issues for a house. Common types of storms that can cause damage to your roof include.
- Rainstorms
- Wind storms
- Hail storms
Reinforcements on your roof should be able to protect it from damage by either of them or all. You can’t predict storm behavior, so it’s better to be ready.
7 Things to Do to Protect Your Roof from Storm Damage
It’s easy to become preoccupied with preparing for impending storms and lose sight of your home. Knowing what you can do to safeguard your roof or house can be useful in such situations. Here are some suggestions for protecting your home from storm damage.
1. Schedule Regular Maintenance and Inspection
Roof inspectors look for roofing problems that could worsen in case of a storm. Have your roof inspected once a year or at least after a storm. Maintenance and inspection may be expensive, but they prove worth it.
Scheduling maintenance and inspection for your roof before storm season allows you to repair the roof early. A roofing expert can spot leaks and holes in the roof and repair them before a storm strikes.
2. Place Protective Material on the Roof
You have plenty of alternatives when looking for material to protect your roof. Asphalt shingles are the most affordable alternative, except it has some drawbacks. One of those drawbacks is that it is susceptible to cracks and splits during a storm.
Consider going for plywood instead, which is pricier than asphalt shingles but is more effective. Choose treated plywood that is water-resistant. Alternatively, you can go for roof sheets designed to withstand heavy winds and water.
Correct installation of either of the materials is critical for them to work. Some cover the roof partially, which risks you having to replace an entire roof after a storm.
3. Cut Trees Around Your Home
Trees add an aesthetic and provide shade during the hot season. However, the tree branches can break off and damage your roof during a storm.
Once they land on your roof, the resulting damage can be catastrophic. You can keep this from happening by cutting the trees. As much as there is a need to preserve the environment and trees, you will have to sacrifice a tree to save your roof.
4. Get Rid Of Materials and Debris Lying Outside Your Home
Some storms are so intense that they will move things outside your home and deposit them elsewhere. Sometimes materials and debris lying around your house can end up on the roof and cause damage.
It’s better to seek professional help removing materials from outside your home than waiting to see how a storm behaves. When moving things, ensure that you include your car as well.
Hurricanes can thrust cars in the sky, and the last thing you want is a car to land on your roof. It would not only damage your roof but the entire house as well.
5. Replace Loose Shingles
Refrain from ignoring shingles that look out of place or damaged. A damaged shingle creates a gateway for a strong wind to access the others, causing damage to the whole roof. Eventually, you will find yourself looking for .replacement services.
Newer shingles can withstand strong winds. As you replace shingles, ensure that they get reinforced to last through several storms. It’s better to spend a little on a few replacements than having to redo an entire roof after a storm.
6.Install Hurricane Straps
Hurricane straps are reinforcement to your roof. They ensure that your roof can withstand big storms. These straps are made of galvanized stainless steel, which is strong enough to withstand tropical storms.
Consider having hurricane straps installed on your roof, especially if it has a wooden frame. You can choose from various types, but your roofing contractor can help you.
Having hurricane straps on your roof earns favor with insurance companies when you have hurricane straps. It’s an opening to get discounts on insurance premiums.
7. Clean Roof Gutters
It’s essential to have clear gutters to allow rainwater to flow freely. After storms, gutters typically fill up with debris, ice, and roof water. Failing to clean out the drain leads to an accumulation that eventually causes the roof to rot.
A rotting and rusty roof compromises the structural integrity of the roof, which makes it dangerous. Storm damage to the roof like this is difficult to detect until it’s too late. In order to prevent damage and blocked gutters, you should arrange an inspection and maintenance for your home following a storm.
Final Words
Protecting your roof from storm damage needs to be your top priority, especially if you live in a storm-prone region. Ensure to check on your roof after a storm regardless of its protection level. If possible, you can hire a roofing expert to help you do the inspection.
Your attempts to protect your roof may only help minimize damage and not wholly prevent it. Some damages take time to show, but roof inspection can help detect them, and you can start thinking about repairs. Thankfully, a professional roofer can help you.
