6 Ways to Prepare Your Roof for a Summer Storm

Severe summer thunderstorms can do serious damage to your home with its intense hail, wind or flooding. Some damage is unavoidable, but if you plan ahead you can reduce the chance of any serious damage to your roof and siding.

Here are six ways that you can help prepare your roof and siding for a summer storm.

1. Know what material and quality your roof is made of. Hail around 1 inch in diameter can dent roofing materials or cause them to dislodge. Historically, clay tiles and wooden roofs are not likely to survive a hailstorm unscathed while concrete tile, shingles or metal tiles are your best bet. You can fix any damaged shingles or tiles easily using a caulking gun.
2. Check the security of roofing materials. From the ground look for curled, loose or missing shingles or tiles. Heavy winds can dislodge shingles, so you’ll want to check how the installation is holding up as well. Nails should be approximately four inches apart and staples should never be used. Replace any loose or mis-hammered nails that you see or apply roofing cement to the edges of shingles.
3. Trim overhanging foliage. Falling trees and branches are one of the most common damages to roofs and siding. Remove dead limbs or branches that hang out over your roof, patio or near siding. This reduces the likelihood that the limb will collapse on your home, tear up your siding or clog your gutters with leafs.
4. Inspect the siding on your home. Look for loose, cracked or broken siding that can be easily blown away by strong winds. Some siding can be snapped back into place but others require more attention. You can fix most siding with a siding removal tool that can be purchased at any local hardware store.
5. Examine caulking and weather stripping. This type of work will be found at places around the exterior where two walls or different materials come together. For example, where siding and the roof or a window intersect. Look for any cracked caulking and so that no strong drafts of wind can blow into your home.
6. Clean your gutters. Heavy rain can cause flooding and therefore it is imperative that your home has an uncluttered drainage system. Getting rid of any leaf buildup and trimming overhanging branches stops leaves from clogging your gutters and prevents rain from gathering, which can weigh down your pipes. If too much rain acquires, it is possible that the gutter may collapse from the weight.

Advanced Window Systems has the expertise you need to ensure your home is storm-ready. Contact us today at 860-829-8044!