Storm season puts every Alabama homeowner on edge. We live in an area that’s all too familiar with violent storms and tornados, and many of us know that roof damage is often the price of these storms.
While you can’t control the hand nature deals you, you can do a few things to protect your roof during storm season. Put these tips into practice today:
1. Trim Trees Away from Rooflines
Trees pose one of the greatest threats to your home’s roof. Large limbs that fall on your roof during a storm can cause leaks and other damage, while entire trees may fall and collapse your roof.
At a minimum, you should trim all limbs that hang over your roof and gutters to mitigate damage.
2. Inspect Your Roof’s Interior
One of the most overlooked parts of roof maintenance is inspecting how your roof looks from the inside. If there are holes, cracks, or other damage on your roof, they can be hard to spot from the outside, and you might not realize you have damage until it starts affecting your ceiling or walls. By then, you have a much larger problem on your hands.
If possible, inspect your roof from the inside. Look for signs of sagging between the rafters, leaking, or daylight coming through the roof.
3. Keep Gutters Clean
Your gutters help to funnel water away from your home and need to be kept clear to allow proper drainage. Storms tend to complicate this, however, since heavy winds can fill your gutters with leaves, twigs, and other debris. When your gutters are clogged, it could force water to settle in places where it shouldn’t be.
Make it a point to clean your gutters before the next big storm. Then, inspect your gutters after every rain to ensure they remain free and clear.
4. Replace Damaged or Missing Shingles
Your shingles are designed to allow water to roll down your roof instead of pool up on your roof. But when shingles are damaged or missing altogether, they’re not able to do their job and may lead to water damage.
Shingle damage is usually easy to spot. Shingles that look discolored, are warped, cracked, or broken, or missing altogether need to be replaced. A little prevention can go a long way in preserving the integrity of your entire roof.
5. Check Your Roof After Each Storm
It’s a good idea to get in the habit of checking your roof after every storm. Even a few damaged shingles can lead to bigger problems later, so frequent inspection can help you mitigate issues before they become greater expenses and hassles.
In addition to looking for shingle damage, you should ensure gutters are properly attached, there’s no rust around flashings, and there’s no visible mold on your shingles. Look for cracked or worn boots around vents and pipes and ensure these items are fixed in place. If you’re not sure what to look for, contact your local roofing company for a professional inspection.
Get Fast Resolution to Roof Damage!
Your roof is a major home safety feature that helps you protect people and property alike. If it becomes damaged during a storm, it needs immediate attention.
Don’t wait — our team is available during emergencies and can tarp your roof immediately should damage occur. Plus, we handle all the heavy lifting with your insurance company so you can focus on what matters most.
Reach out to us today for a free estimate and prepare your roof for storm season!
