Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, but in Indiana, it’s also storm season. Storm season can bring high winds, heavy rain, and blowing debris, which can destroy your roof. As a responsible homeowner, you need to take steps to prepare your roof to ensure maximum protection. We are going to explain the best ways for you to prep your roof for this year’s storm season.
Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts
As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers, but all that rain can also pose a major threat to your home. Any water pooling on your roof will eventually back up beneath the shingles. This could lead to leaks and water damage within your home. Your best line of defense against water infiltration is your gutter system.
Check that your gutters are free from debris, and look for signs of damage. Repair any dented or loose gutters. Check your downspouts, too. All of them should be moving water at least 4 feet from your home’s foundation. If the water is released any closer to your home, you could face unwanted erosion and pooling water.
Remove Debris From Your Roof
During a storm with high winds and heavy rain, debris such as leaves, pine needles, and twigs can all land on your roof and be flushed into the gutters. This will slow down and eventually stop the free flow of rainwater through the gutter system. Simplify your spring cleaning jobs by removing excess roof debris as you clean your gutters to avoid unwelcome issues.
Trim Back Nearby Trees
Nearby trees can be hazardous when it comes to high winds and thunderstorms. Protect your roof by trimming any low-hanging limbs or unhealthy branches from trees near your home. Ideally, you should keep branches at least 6 feet or more away from your roof to help minimize the risk of a branch falling on it. If you have any trees that you believe are significantly aged or weak, you might need to call a professional to see if the tree needs to be removed.
Get a Roof Inspection
If you’re like most homeowners, you can’t see your entire roof from the ground. For this reason, you could miss spots where shingles have lifted or flashing has blown away. Before spring storm season hits, have a professional roofer come in and give your roof a full inspection. This will ensure that there are no exposed areas to your roof vulnerable to further damage as a result of the storm season.
Grab a Tarp and Your Insurance Policy
Even when you do everything possible to prep your roof for the spring storm season, you could still end up with damage. Having a plan to handle that damage will make it easier to manage when it occurs. First, keep a large tarp on hand. You can quickly and easily cover any section of your roof that is damaged from the storm until your roofer can get there to fix the issue. By having a tarp on hand, you can cover the problem quickly, and you won’t have to worry about the hardware store being out of tarps after a big storm.
Another item you’ll want to keep readily available is your insurance policy. Homeowners insurance is necessary to cover any storm-related roof damage. Be sure to have the number for your insurance company so that you’re ready to go in case something does happen.
Secure Yard Items
Like most homeowners, you probably have various items outside your home that can turn into flying debris during heavy windstorms. Think bird feeders, patio furniture, and hanging plants. All of these items can become potential threats to the integrity of your roof when they have the force of high winds behind them. Do yourself a favor and properly secure them or move them inside before big storms hit.
Get Professional Help Today
Nationwide Contracting, LLC is here to provide you with all the professional roofing services you need in Shelbyville, from storm repair to replacement. We can also assist with all of your gutter and commercial service needs. Simply give our office a call today, and we’ll get a roofer on the way to you.
