5 TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOUR RESIDENTIAL ROOFING FROM SUMMER STORMS

Michael Delano | July 9, 2019

Summertime can be full of many joys, from lazy days in the pool to fun cookouts with your friends and family. Severe summer storms, however, are usually the tougher parts of the year’s warm months. Thunderstorms over the summer can bring serious wind, rain, and hail to your area in mere seconds. In the short amount of time a storm sweeps over your home, it can knock trees and power lines onto your roof, cause damage with hail and rain, and result in flash flooding.

Your residential roofing doesn’t have to be at the mercy of the natural elements. Let’s take a look at the top tips for protecting your home’s roof against dangerous summer storms.

Have an annual inspection

Getting regular annual inspections of your roof will help catch small problems before they become much larger. As a central part of preventative maintenance, an annual inspection will help ensure that your shingles stay in good shape and there are no opportunities for leaks. This is all essential in saving you money in repair bills when the storms do strike.

Replace damaged shingles

A single damaged shingle may not seem like it will have a huge impact on the overall state of your roof, but sound residential roofing relies on every piece of it being in tip-top shape. High winds throughout the year can loosen or dislodge shingles. These gaps leave your roof vulnerable to more serious damage when severe storms roll in during the summer. By replacing the occasional shingle or two during the year, you’ll give your family a much more stable roof over their head.

Clean your gutters

The state of your gutters is directly connected to the state of your roof. When your gutters are clean, water will flow off of your roof properly. When gutters have dirt and debris clogging their paths, rainwater will pool on your roof. This standing water can then seep into the shingles, soffit, and fascia, causing the gutters to tear away from your house.

Clogged gutters can also affect the quality of your siding and even your home’s basement. If your gutters are blocked, water will fall away from the downspouts and spill down your home’s exterior walls. The water will then deteriorate wood framing, saturate vinyl siding, and potentially cause mold growth inside the walls. After hitting your home’s sides, the water will saturate the ground right below it and may penetrate the pores of your home’s concrete foundation. Make sure that your gutters are ready for heavy rains by clearing them out yourself or calling a professional to do the job.

Trim your trees

Fallen branches and trees are perhaps the most prevalent danger that comes from heavy storms. You know that a falling tree can cause major landscape and structural damage to your home that could cause major home renovations, but smaller branches that fall can also lead to lasting damage. These tinier branches can scrape off the protective coating on your roof as they cause granular loss on its shingles. To prevent this, trim trees on your property that are close enough to fall on the roof. Aim for at least six feet of clearance to ensure that no wily branches make their way onto your roof during strong winds.

Don’t ignore damage

According to a consumer survey, durability was chosen as the number one factor when deciding which new roof to purchase, with 88% of the consumers’ votes. While this concentration on durability will hopefully lead homeowners to choose a roof that doesn’t often get damaged, wear and tear happen to almost every roof. It’s impossible to control elements of nature that pierce your roof or lead to leaks.

As soon as you notice a leak in your roof or damaged shingles, contact experienced residential roofing contractors immediately. They will assess your home for residential roofing replacement and get you the roof your home needs in order to keep your family safe. When you ignore the signs of a damaged roof and procrastinate roof replacement, you put yourself and everyone who lives in the home in danger when the summer storm season rolls around.

Summer is about to kick into full gear. Before it does, you need to ensure that your home is ready for the thunderstorms and winds that the season often brings. Contact Style Roofing Inc. today to learn more about how you can ensure your roof is ready to stand up to the challenges of the summer.