Is your roof prepared for storms in the summer? It's always a good idea to be prepared because the summers in the South can bring an onslaught of severe weather. Once summer is fully underway, you should prepare for thunderstorms, strong winds, and torrential downpours that could seriously damage your roof.
The good news is that by completing the chores on our roof maintenance checklist, which also includes guidance on which repairs to prioritize in order to prevent a leaky roof, you can keep your house and family secure and comfortable.
Before we get started on the roof maintenance checklist, you should be aware that the best way to get your roof ready for summer in the South is to hire a professional roofer who has the right equipment and training.
Use this checklist to protect your roof from whatever weather is on your way.
Get Your Roof Inspected
When was the last time your roof was checked out? Before the start of the stormy season, arrange for a professional inspection if it has been some time. Any roof care plan must include an inspection. A roofing expert can completely inspect the roof and identify any flaws before they worsen. Damaged, cracked, or missing shingles are frequent issues that, if left unattended, can result in a leaking roof and expensive water damage.
You can perform an inspection on your own, however it won't be as thorough as having a professional climb up on the roof. After a significant storm, try strolling around your yard and looking for shingle fragments or granules on the grass or around the downspout bases. When you see cracked or missing shingles, it's time to fix the roof as quickly as possible.
Clear the Trees Near Your Roof and House
During a storm, small branches and tree limbs can be a real problem. So that you won't have to worry about a tree branch or limb falling on your roof during a storm, trim the trees close to your home and roof. When they break off and fall on your roof, large branches and dead limbs can do significant damage. They may even lift the shingles, letting rainwater enter between them.
Problems might arise from too many leaves, especially during a storm. Excessive leaves can clog downspouts, gutter guards, and gutters. Before the storm, rake up as many leaves as you can, and remove any debris that can end up on the roof.
Call a landscaper to prune the trees surrounding your property once a year. This will prevent branches from falling on your roof and will be good for the tree as well.
Check for Weak or Sick Trees
Strong winds can uproot weak or dangerous trees and direct them toward your home. Watch for any indications of bending trees, which frequently indicate a poor root system. And trees experience stress. A stressed tree will exhibit dead limbs, missing bark, withered branches, and malformed leaves.
Weak trees are no match for strong winds, and down in the South, tropical storms and hurricanes are always on the horizon. Your trees' health can be determined by a landscape expert. If they are, it would be wise to get rid of them before the hurricane season begins.
Inspect and Clean Your Downspouts and Gutters
Summer storms frequently saturate the South, and when they do, they hit hard. A buildup or backup of water is one of the greatest problems for any roof. The accumulation of wet leaves and other debris can clog gutters, creating a pool of water that collects there. Leaks are only one of the many issues that can result from blocked gutters and downspouts. That is why maintaining their cleanliness is so important.
Step one is to clean your gutters and gutter guards; another is to check for weak or loose fastenings. The gutters may get heavy due to wet leaves and other debris, separating them from the roof. Additionally, water flow down the downspouts may be impeded if your gutters are uneven or dented. Contact a specialist right away to replace your gutters and downspouts if it appears that they are beyond repair.
Additional Advice for the Storm Season
Buy tarps so that you can apply them to your roof in the event of storm damage to stop further damage. A properly fastened tarp can save gaps or missing shingles from developing into expensive leaks. Before they run out at your neighborhood home improvement store, stock up on tarps. (If you've ever attempted to buy tarps after a storm, you know how difficult it is to find them.)
Hire a roofing firm with experience and a good reputation: When having your roof replaced, getting repairs made, or setting up an inspection, working with the appropriate firm is crucial. The last thing you need to be concerned about is an unskilled staff that arrives late or, worse yet, does not have the equipment or knowledge necessary to provide an objective evaluation of the situation.
Living in the South entails experiencing frequent heavy rains. Don't let a situation catch you off guard; use our roof maintenance checklist. Even during storm season, regular roof maintenance and gutter cleaning will help extend the life of your roof.
