Severe Weather Can Happen At Any Time
We know severe weather can happen at any time. Severe weather includes hazardous conditions produced by damaging high winds, large hail, storms, strong winds, freezing rain, and even flooding.
It is important to understand how severe weather can affect your home.
Here are a few tips on storm damage prevention
Maintenance:
One of the best ways to protect your roof is by performing preventive maintenance and repair.
You want your roof shingles and your flashing of your roof to be in good condition, so if anything happens they are not the weak points.
If you have tall trees, trim your branches back away from your house.
Be aware of anything loose, such as shutters on your home, either bring them in or nail them down to prevent possible damage.
Have Your Roof Inspected:
It is a good idea to have your roof inspected by a professional at least once a year, whether you experience severe weather or not.
However, you should inspect your roof after any major weather event, such as hailstorms, snowfall, or wind gusts.
During a roof inspection, a professional will inspect the condition of your roof, looking for any damage or potential problems.
Rain Gutters:
If you have a gutter system, make sure it is clear of any leaves or debris and that the downspouts are properly connected to the drainage system.
Gutters prevent water from collecting on your roof, so they mustn’t be blocked or damaged.
This can cause an overflow of rainwater and send water seeping into your home’s foundation, which will eventually damage wood beams and other components of the building structure.
Fascia & Soffit:
The fascia is the board that is attached to the bottom of your roof, and the soffit is a board that hangs beneath it.
They prevent water from collecting in the corners of your home’s foundation. Inspect them for damage or rot.
If you see any areas that need repair, have them fixed immediately to avoid further problems with water damage.
Flat Roof:
There are different types of roofs. Some roofs are flat, water tends to pool on flat roofs.
If you have a flat roof, it is especially important to inspect it regularly for leaks and ponding water. Flat roofs are more susceptible to these problems than slanted roofs.
This can cause water damage to the structure of your home. If you have a flat roof, make sure it is well-drained and that no debris is preventing water from draining correctly.
A professional roofing contractor should be contacted to get this repaired if there are any issues.
Storm Drains:
Your gutters and downspouts should flow away from your house, so make sure there are no obstructions between them and the street or yard.
Your storm drains should also be clear and not block water from flowing away from the property.
If it rains really hard, you should check your storm drains to make sure the water is not overflowing.
Conclusion:
These are some simple steps that you can take to help protect your home from storm damage.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Horizon Roofing at (770) 746-7611.
We are here to help!