The roof on your home is extremely vulnerable during bad weather, so a little extra prep could go a long way this upcoming storm season. Repairing or replacing your roof can be expensive and if you haven’t maintained proper care of the roof throughout the years, sometimes damages may not be covered by your homeowners insurance. Spending a few minutes every couple of months to check your roof can help you identify roof maintenance opportunities that will help prevent costly repairs later.
Review these tips on how to prevent costly damages from happening before the storms hit. Quick tip—check your roof while cleaning out your gutters in the spring and the fall.
What to look for:
- Look for missing, damaged or loose shingles and have them replaced. Loose pieces can blow and cause damage to other items on the property. If there are large areas with issues, storm pressure could possibly cause the roof to be uplifted.
- Seal cracks around chimneys or other items that may be attached to your roof to prevent water leaks through gaps. Be sure these fixtures are properly secured.
- Trim branches on trees that are near the home.
- Check the flashing to make sure it is clean and tightly sealed.
- If anything has become rusty, replace or clean up properly to maintain strength of the metal.
- Make a visit to your attic. Inspect for leaking water, mold or dampness.
- Remove fallen tree limbs and leaves from the roof and the gutters. Clogs can pose problems with water getting into the structure.
