When a hurricane or other violent seasonal storm hits, your roof is one of the areas of your home that’s most likely to be damaged. Because roof problems can quickly lead to other, potentially more serious internal and structural issues, it’s important to be proactive about preventing hurricane and storm damage. This is especially true if your roof is older and already susceptible to leaks.
The good news is that it’s fairly easy to prepare your roof for hurricane season, even if you don’t have a lot of DIY experience. With some simple repairs and basic reinforcements, your roof will stand a much better chance of holding up if a hurricane or major storm strikes.
Protecting Your Roof Through Hurricane Season
1. Replace Worn Shingles
The standard asphalt shingles on the market today are generally able to withstand wind speeds of up to 150 miles per hour, and products with even more robust wind resistance capabilities are available. Take advantage of these technological and material improvements, and replace any worn-down, loose or damaged shingles with wind-resistant new ones.
All newly installed and loose but otherwise sound shingles should be treated with high-performance roofing adhesives. This adds a vital second level of protection against high winds, helping your shingles stay in place.
2. Reinforce Your Roof
Adding a roofing reinforcement is a more involved project, but It’s one that may well be worth the effort…and could even save your life in an extreme situation. Overlapping two-by-four lengths of wood across your roof trusses is the standard way to reinforce a roof. If you’re planning to do this yourself, be sure to leave about a foot and a half of space between each row of two-by-fours.
3. Seal All Gaps
Perform a careful check of all areas where your roof converges with the walls and ceilings of your home. If you find any cracks or gaps, close them off with a water-resistant sealant to prevent leaks and other forms of storm damage.
4. Redirect Rainwater
Finally, perform a check of all your roof gutters and downspouts. First, make sure that they are not clogged with debris like loose sticks, rocks, dirt, or decaying leaves. Clear out any such debris immediately. Second, test your downspouts to make sure they are properly redirecting water off your roof and away from your house. Malfunctioning downspouts pose hazards not only to your roof, but also to your basement, as rainwater accumulation can result in flooding.
If you have any questions or concerns about preparing your roof for the hurricane season, or you’ve already experienced wind or hail damage and need help dealing with the aftermath, contact All Roofing Solutions for assistance. Professional guidance is always a superior substitute for guesswork.
Call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania to schedule your roofing inspection today!
Ensure Your Roof Can Withstand High Winds
If you have an older roof or think your roof may be in need of repairs, contact us before more serious problems occur. The truth is, regular roof inspections can delay, and often prevent, expensive roof replacements, whether the damage is from high wind or other inclement weather.
Whatever your roofing needs are, we’re here to help. Family owned and operated, we are a local roofing contractor with 20 years of experience in residential & commercial roofing servicing Delaware and South-East Pennsylvania. Our team of skilled contractors is familiar with a myriad of roofing issues. We will check your roof for potential problems, answer your questions, and get the job done right!