How to Prevent Roof Storm Damage
There’s nothing quite like a soothing drizzle or a gentle rain to delight the senses and soothe the soul. But when the clouds grow more ominous and bring strong winds and hail, it’s another matter entirely. Once the skies have cleared, the storm damage can be significant.
Unfortunately, most Minnesota homeowners aren’t doing all they can to protect their home and roof against storm damage. But it only takes a little planning today to save you thousands on serious storm repairs down the road.
In this post from Powers Premier Contracting in Minnesota, we’re looking into some easy steps you can take to prevent future storm damage and protect your home. When you need storm damage repair or exterior remodeling services, give us a call!
Keep Your Trees Trimmed
Tree removal services get busy during severe storms. Many homes, cars, and garages have large broken branches after a storm, and most people don’t realize these branches and limbs can weigh hundreds of pounds. Not only can they devastate your roof, they can also pose a serious risk to your family or anyone nearby.
Even if you don’t end up with downed trees or limbs, you can end up with debris-filled gutters and leaves, tree limbs, and other debris strewn across your roof. If not removed in time for winter, it can lead to ice dams that cause severe roof damage.
The sad part is that so much severe roof damage from trees is entirely preventable. Ensure you regularly trim your trees and remove any trees growing too close to your house to protect your property and family.
Clean Up Your Yard
You might think, “Hey, I keep a tidy yard!” But remember, anything can become a projectile in high winds, especially when straight-line winds are involved or there’s a microburst. Remember the cow-flying scene in the movie Twister?
Make a habit of putting away anything that could take flight when you’re not in the yard. Stack up your lawn chairs and keep them stored neatly in a corner. Put away children’s toys, bikes, and lawn equipment in storage.
If you sense a storm is coming but there’s still plenty of time to safely take a look around your yard, examine your lawn for anything that could potentially become unsafe with high winds.
Upgrade Your Insulation
Quality, high-performance insulation is essential for Minnesota homes. Good insulation will help to prevent ice dams, which can occur when the heat from your home transfers to your roof and melts the snow. As this snow pools at the edge of your roof and refreezes, ice dams can occur that will prevent future snowfall and precipitation from draining off your roof.
Ice dams are one of the biggest winter weather threats to homes in our region of the country. Moisture infiltration inside your home can be serious and costly, leading to structural damage, mold, and even roof failure.
Save yourself the headache and save on your monthly energy costs when you upgrade your attic insulation!
Check Your Attic
Take some time to look around your attic for apparent signs of roof damage. The best time to conduct a home attic inspection is during daylight hours.
Turn off the attic light and look for signs of light creeping in. Anyplace you see the light peeking through is a potential point of air and water infiltration and structural weakness. In a storm, your roof will likely leak or collapse.
While you’re up there, look for signs of water spots or wet insulation. Use your nose to identify any problems with mildew. If you suspect any issues, be sure to hire a roofing repair team right away.
Check Your Gutters
Damaged and broken gutters can become projectiles during a storm, damaging your roof or siding. They can also become easily clogged, allowing water to run onto your roof and infiltrate the underlayment where weak spots lie.
If you’re considering updating your gutters, we can install seamless gutters that are less vulnerable to storm damage. We can even add gutter guards to reduce your chance of gutter clogs and make cleaning easier.
Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
Investing in a professional roof inspection is never a bad idea, especially if it’s been a few years since you’ve scheduled or spent money on roof repairs. A licensed residential roofing contractor can identify subtle problems that aren’t obvious to a layperson.
Not only will a professional roofer check your shingles for signs of weakness and evaluate the condition of your granules, but they’ll also check your flashing and vents. They’ll make recommendations that end up saving you a fortune down the road.
Tips for Seeking Storm Damage Roof Repairs
It’s challenging to recuperate your losses after storm damage wreaks havoc on your home. We are aware of the hardships and obstacles involved. Check out our tips for seeking storm damage roof repairs for a detailed list of what to do.
Here are just a few reminders!
Compare Cost Estimates
Get three different bids in writing. Free quotes or complimentary roof inspections will help save money you’ll need for your repairs later.
Review Contractor Credentials
When reviewing a potential contractor online, look for their authorized training, licensing, and proper insurance coverage. There should also be testimonials and reviews for you to look at.
If in doubt, contact the Department of Insurance of your state to verify the contractor's liability insurance policy.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Your homeowner’s insurance provider should tell you if your potential contractor’s policies and contract are in sync with theirs so that compensation and communication run smoothly. If they don’t, beware of the red flags.
Protect the Rest of Your Home From Storm Damage
Storms hit unexpectedly, and your roof isn’t the only vulnerable component of your home. Here are a few more important tips to protect your home against storm damage!
Secure Roof Shingles
Protect your home against unexpected wind damage by securing any loose shingles. Loose shingles can become dangerous projectiles and expose your roof to further damage.
Installing a waterproof underlayment on your roof is also a good idea!
Reinforce or Install Storm Windows
You can install steel or aluminum storm shutters for windows, French doors, and sliding glass doors to prevent projectiles from shattering. Contact your window and roofing contractor to see how you can better protect your existing windows.
Schedule Minnesota Residential Roofing Services
Don’t let your Twin Cities home get hit with unnecessary storm damage. Plan with help from Powers Premier Contracting!
Call to connect with our roofing contractors at 612-710-7283, or contact us online for a free estimate today.