Maintaining Your Roof During Storm Season

Storm season is upon us. How prepared are you for damaging winds, heavy rain and hail? Or more specifically, how prepared is your roof? Fortunately, there are some simple precautions you can take to ensure that your roof is ready to weather whatever Mother Nature sends your way this season.

Cleaning GuttersClean out gutters

The purpose of gutters is to move water away from your home. When gutters become clogged with leaves, branches, nests and other debris, they don’t drain properly. This can lead to pooling water, especially after heavy storms. Water that pools in gutters can cause roofing materials to deteriorate and rot, leading to costly damage and oftentimes to water intrusion. Every spring and fall, clean out gutters so water can easily drain off your roof, preserving its integrity.

Trim tree branches

Tree branches are frequent casualties in summer storms – not a big deal unless they land on your roof, right? Branches can scrape shingles, causing the gritty protective layer to wear away and reducing their effectiveness.

Additionally, pine trees lose their needles year-round and overhanging and nearby branches can drop needles onto your roof and into your gutters. Cut overhanging tree branches back a minimum of six feet from your home to keep your roof and gutters clear!

Roof ShinglesAttend to shingles

Shingles have an important job - protecting the envelope (and ultimately the interior) of your home. Wind, rain, hail, baking sun, snow...all of these elements can wreak havoc on shingles. Unfortunately, homeowners oftentimes don’t realize their shingles are in disrepair until water stains appear on their ceiling and water is actually leaking into their home. Be proactive and perform a biannual roof inspection, securing loose shingles and replacing any that are damaged.

Inspect for leaks

Sometimes, the site of water intrusion isn’t very obvious from the roof’s surface. If you have access to your attic, check the attic ceiling for telltale signs of any water damage – staining, water spots or dry rot. You can also simulate a rain shower with a garden hose or crawl around the attic during heavy rain and look for water seepage. A roof that leaks isn’t doing its job. Make sure you repair any damaged sections to protect the interior of your home from inevitable elements.

Replace damaged or missing sealant

Careful inspection of a roof’s surface often reveals compromised sealant. If sealant appears cracked, peeling or has gouges in it, it’s probably letting moisture through. Sealant can be easily repaired if the damage is minimal. If the sealant is old and brittle, replacing the entire membrane may be the best choice and a long-term investment in one of your biggest investments – your home.

If you’re unsure whether or not your roof is prepared to weather this season’s storms, give us a call at 763.314.0234. We’d be happy to perform a roof inspection and make any necessary repairs so you can enjoy a worry-free summer!

 

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