Severe Weather Roof Preparation

8/15/2017

As we make our way towards the final days of summer and into the fall, mother nature becomes ever more unpredictable. Severe thunderstorms, hail, tropical storms, and hurricanes are common this time of year, and often come with little or no warning, making it difficult to prepare your roof and your home. Being proactive is the easiest way to guard against this. By following these 3 tips below, you can position yourself a step or two ahead of mother nature and ensure your roof, your home, and your family are prepared if severe weather were to strike.  

1. Visually inspect your roof. Many homeowners on the east coast and in the gulf region do this often as part of their yearly preparation for hurricanes, however giving your roof a thorough inspection prior to storms is good practice for any homeowner. Keep an eye out for loose or missing shingles, gutter damage, and gaps in the flashing, as these areas will prove vulnerable during a severe storm.
2. Inspect your property. If your roof passes your visual inspection, that does not mean it is completely safe from the wrath of mother nature. Trees and other falling debris from storms can cause serious damage to your roof. Look out for dead or damaged trees, as well as any limbs that hand over your roof. If given adequate advanced notice of a storm, you may be able to contact a tree service to remove any problem trees before the storm hits.
3. Protect important documents and belongings. Keep all important family documents and sentimental belongings in a safe, centralized location. This will allow you to access them quicker in case you need to evacuate the home for any reason, and protect them if you were to suffer any significant roof damage.

Following these tips will help make sure your roof, you home, and your family are as prepared as they can be when severe weather unexpectedly hits. You can go beyond these steps to protect your home by contacting your local roofing contractor about roofing material options that will better stand up to severe weather.