Protecting your roof from storm damage is a year-round concern. However, with spring right around the corner, preventative roof maintenance is particularly important – especially if you live somewhere with frequent tornados or other severe weather. Whether you’re dealing with heavy winds, torrential rain, or late-season snowstorms, protecting your roof from storm damage is a crucial part of maintaining your home’s value and saving yourself as much money as possible. With a little preparation, you’ll be equipped for severe weather.
Protecting Your Roof from Storm Damage
Keep Your Roof Clean
The first step to protecting your roof from storm damage is keeping your roof clean of all debris, especially heavy snow. Regular roof cleanings are essential to your roof’s longevity and can be accomplished with a roof brush or a power washer.
Why are roof cleanings necessary? At first glance, roof debris like leaves and twigs might appear harmless. In reality, they can cause considerable damage to your roof if picked up by heavy storm winds. Twigs can scratch away the protective coating on asphalt shingles, even going so far as to puncture the roof in heavy storms. It’s also important to remove heavy snow from your roof, which can clog drains and leak into your roof assembly.
Self-Inspect on a Seasonal Basis
Working with a roof expert is important, but you don’t need a professional to keep an eye on the health of your roof. Make sure to inspect your roof on a seasonal basis, especially after periods of extreme rain, cold, or wind. Extreme cold can cause your roof to contract and crack, allowing rain to surge into your home. Excessive wind can also cause a net upward force on your roofing system, forcing shingles to blow off. Even if your roof is newly installed, keeping an eye on potential problem areas each season is essential to maintaining its well-being and preventing costly repairs down the road.
Prioritize Prevention
Protecting your roof from storm damage starts with prevention. Preventive upkeep and maintenance like leak repairs can go a long way to protect your roof from water and wind damage. If you’re not sure how to proceed with preventative repair and maintenance, reach out to an expert. Regular professional inspections and repairs allow you to catch roofing problems early. Without expert inspections, you might find yourself replacing your roof prematurely, especially after it’s forced to withstand extreme weather conditions.
This is especially important as your roof starts to age, which will cause it to wear down faster as it reaches the end of its life. After installing a brand new roof, you can typically wait between three and five years for a professional evaluation. However, during this time you should still perform self-inspections on a seasonal basis.
_____
Don’t Let Storm Damage Ruin Your Home
Protecting your roof from storm damage is a combination of preventative maintenance and careful monitoring. This is especially important if you live in an area with a high concentration of tornados, hurricanes, or other extreme weather. As springtime approaches and severe weather season begins, it’s time to start focusing on roof maintenance. For the best results, consult an expert like GlennStone.
If you need assistance protecting your roof from storm damage or you’re planning to replace your current roof, contact GlennStone if you live in southwest Missouri. You can also send an e-mail to [email protected], call 417-860-8125, or contact us online. Our experienced professionals have the tools and expertise you need to ensure the longevity of your roof throughout all seasons – rain or shine.