What’s the first thing you do before going on vacation? You clean your house, right? The same logic applies to your roof before the next big storm.
Follow these three tips and you’ll be prepared when that next storm rolls through town—and you can rest easy knowing that no damage has been done to your most important asset by the elements or by an ill-prepared roofer.
The very best way to protect your home during an upcoming storm is to make sure your roof’s ready, and with these three tips, from a professional roofing contractor, you can prepare your roof quickly and easily.
After all, knowing your roof’s prepared means you won’t have to worry about the storm when it comes! These tips can be done by anyone, whether you have experience working on roofs or not.
Here at Orange Elephant, we have been serving the local community for over 10 years, and we have seen time and time again homes that got badly damaged after a major storm, and could have been prevented if they followed these simple steps when a storm was in the forecast.
Now let’s get into it!
Tip #1: Clean Your Gutters
Clean your gutters regularly and make sure they are free of debris. Otherwise, storm water will be forced through the system, pushing leaves and other debris into your home.
If you have flat roofs then make sure they are sealed well or look into a roof replacement.
If you have pitched roofs then regular roof maintenance like cleaning moss off gutters, re-sealing deck seams, applying paint or stain and repairing missing shingles can prevent big issues later on.
Tip #2: Check For Missing Shingles
Missing shingles will cause issues with your roof.
For the most part, you can probably identify these missing pieces on your own, but sometimes an expert will be able to identify problems that you might not notice at first glance.
So, look from the ground and check for missing shingles, because if there are any gaps in your roof's surface, the gaps create large openings that allow water inside during heavy rain or hail storms.
Once water has gotten inside of your roof, it's more difficult to remove it and dry out the area completely. That's why roof maintenance and roof replacement are important aspects of preparing for a storm season.
What should you do if there are minor damages? Minor damages may include: holes, popped nails, and even broken tiles. To repair these issues before they worsen, contact a contractor! A professional roofer like us here at Orange Elephant can offer helpful advice and even provide repairs.
Tip #3: Check For Any Leaks In Your Home
Now, make sure your home isn't leaking at all. You might not be aware of any leaks on your roof, but you may have significant damage going on internally, which is why you should routinely call a trusted contractor to inspect your roof.
Pay attention if water is accumulating in your gutters or other parts of the roof structure that are meant to collect water like drains. Roof maintenance can keep this from happening by cleaning and inspecting the roof regularly.
Failing to fix these small problems could lead to more expensive repairs down the line such as replacing shingles or repairing cracks in your roof's underlayment layer which could cause rot and mold issues inside your home, or cause even worse damage after a major storm.
In Conclusion
Here at Orange Elephant Roofing, your safety is our top priority, which is why we recommend you think of your roof before any storm and what damage it can cause.
These three maintenance tips will help you so much in the long run from having to get your roof repaired or replaced, but if you feel it is too late and your roof needs to be inspected, feel free to check out our roofing services and schedule an inspection today.
We are always happy to help.