A few decades ago, homeowners could predict weather seasons more accurately than modern homeowners.
Climate change over the years has been a major contributing factor in irregular weather patterns, making it challenging for homeowners to plan effectively for weather changes.
There have been surprise storms, frequent occurrences of heatwaves, and sometimes even weather that isn’t supposed to be experienced in a particular season.
While these different weather occurrences can impact the roof’s performance, it’s the storm that homeowners often worry about the most.
Strong storms can challenge the integrity of the most robust roof, even if it’s just been installed. That’s why you need to prepare effectively for a storm before it happens if you wish to protect your roof and home.
Below, we’ll look at a few effective tips for preparing for a storm so your roof is not ambushed by the next one.
Research Recent Climate Events
The most effective place to start when preparing your roof for a storm is to first learn about the recent climate patterns in the area.
Whether you’ve just settled into a new neighborhood or are planning to build a new home in a new place, this information can be useful for your preparation.
If your research reveals a frequent pattern of heavy storms in the area, it’s important to take your preparations seriously.
Some areas only suffer surprise storms, spread far apart within a rainy season, while others experience more frequent ones within the same season.
Knowing what type of storm patterns to expect in your region will help you plan the right strategies for protecting your roof.
Ensure you gather all the necessary information about storms in the area, such as storm strength, frequency, and factors that make a roof vulnerable to the storm.
Schedule an Inspection
Now that you know the seriousness of what you’re preparing for, it’s time to schedule an intentional roof inspection.
If you have experience with managing roofs, you can do the inspection alone, but it’s advisable that you let the professionals do it.
Go for local experts who understand the area’s climate and roofing needs for a successful project.
For instance, if you’re in Palm Coast, you can schedule an inspection with the best Palm Coast roofing companies early before they’re all booked.
Some of the key areas to inspect or to be inspected should include:
- Gutters and downspouts: Gutters play a crucial role in directing water safely away from your home, even though they’re technically not part of the roof itself. During a storm, your roof needs clear gutters and downspouts to avoid blockages. So check to ensure there is no debris, leaves, or twigs blocking these passages before a storm begins.
- Shingles: Storms come with strong winds, which can take advantage of weak or exposed shingles to cause bigger damage to your roof. The aim of the inspection here is to ensure there are no cracked, loose, curled, or missing shingles on the roof. When your shingles are in great shape, it helps protect your roof against leaks that lead to extensive water damage.
- Flashing: Since water is a major enemy during storms, you’d want to protect the spaces around skylights, chimneys, and vents effectively. Flashing is the metal added to cover these spaces to ensure water doesn’t penetrate into your roof’s underlying structure and eventually into your home. During inspection, check to ensure the metals are in perfect condition and are securely fastened for optimal performance during the storm.
- Fascia and soffits: Your inspection shouldn’t end without checking the fascia and the soffit panels. These are the important boards that run along the roof’s edge, supporting the gutter system and protecting rafters from the elements. Check for any signs of rot, gaps, or damage that may allow pests or water to enter under the roof.
Trim or Groom Trees Near Your House
Windy storms can cause havoc when they lift and drop objects on your roof, especially tree branches hanging close to the roof.
While trees act as good windbreakers, if their branches hang too close to the roof, they can easily break off, causing damage.
Some branches may not necessarily fall on the roof, but would brush over the shingles aggressively during a storm, causing them to be loose, curled, or broken.
Trimming or grooming your tree branches will help reduce the distance between the trees and the buildings to at least six feet to keep your roofs safe.
Remember to observe maximum care during the trimming as well, so that branches don’t end up falling on the roof during the process.
If you’re planting new trees soon, ensure they’re planted safely away from the building so they don’t become obstructions to your roof in the future.
Secure the Items Around Your Home
Any loose item around your home can become a weapon of destruction during a storm, especially for homes with few trees or without any strong fencing.
These items can be anything you use daily in your home, such as old AC units, rooftop blowers, pipes, and small electronics that can easily be carried by the wind to your roof.
Ensure you store every tool or old items in the basement or a dedicated storehouse after use. If you have items that must remain outside during the storm, like AC units, secure them firmly to protect them from the storm.
Keeping everything firmly secured or safely stored during the storm minimizes the chances of objects flying onto your roof to damage the shingles.
Ensure Your Insurance is Up to Date
In case of any roof damage sustained during a storm, you’ll need a working insurance policy to facilitate repairs after the storm.
As you approach the storm, ensure your insurance policy is active and up to date, just in case you’ll need it after the storm.
Go through your insurance policy terms to ensure it covers roof damage caused by a storm, so that you can report any such damage immediately it occurs.
For instance, if a tree or an object hits your roof, damaging it, you should first contact your insurance company before taking any other action.
Once your insurance team confirms the damage, you can then call a tree removal service or any help you can find to save your roof from further harm as you await full repairs.
Preparing for a storm can be a challenge in this age of unpredictable weather and surprise climate changes.
The best way around this challenge is to know what you need to do and do it regularly to ensure safety at all times.
Knowing how to prepare for a storm is one thing, but implementing those tips is the most crucial step to ensuring roof safety during a storm.
Implement what you can on your own, but work closely with relevant professionals for the perfect outcome.
