Nothing can be done to stop natural occurrences like storm, flood and wind. However we can limit the degree of damaged caused by these events. This will involve taking precautionary measures to ensure that even when this disasters come they don’t leave us with too much mess to deal with. Year in year out the weather changes, and we must learn to adapt to these changes and protect ourselves from their effect.
A storm can be very disastrous especially when you are not prepared. Taking necessary measures to protect yourself, properties and your home is therefore of great importance. Which is why roofs are one of the main items covered by homeowners insurance or home warranty plans
Replace missing shingles and repair the bad ones
The storm will only ruin whatever is left of a damaged roof. If you notice that your roof shingles are bad, quickly repear them because they are more likely to get dislodged when the storm comes. If there is any missing shingles make sure to replace it. The gap will leave room for more damage if not corrected. Also remember to nail the shingles properly.
Clear the roof gutters
You’ll be surprised how clogged gutters can escalate the effect of storms. Keep your roof gutter free and flowing, and ensure your downspouts flow away from your foundation.
Things like ice, debris, and water can accumulate on the roof if it is not properly cleaned and maintained. This acculation may cause the roof to get discolored and begin to rot. Accumulated debris can be washed into roof gutters and consequently clog them.
Clogged roof gutters means that water will be retained on the roof which eventually causes the roof to become weak and may also cause water to leak into the house. Aside from the roof gutters, also ensure that the gutters around your house are flowing properly. Clogged gutters can cause flooding when the storm hits. You may need the help of storm water management solutions to handle this type of situation.
Use protective plywood
Rather than expose your roof to the direct effect of the storm, you can use plywood as a sheet over the roof to protect it from the storm. Although this process is more expensive compared to the cost of installing shingles, it saves you the cost of having to do a total repair for the roof when it gets damaged by the storm. Ensure that you use waterproof plywood for this procedure.
Check the compound and fence post
Check your compound for any tool lying around, junks, the waste bin and any other item that can be blown around by the storm. Theses items can be blown up on the roof or damage the shingles when they fly around. Also, if any of your fence post is loosed, secure it. If it needs any serious repair then hire a workman to do this for you. These fence posts may be uprooted by the wind and may damage the roof in the process. Fence posts should be nailed down properly. To check if any of the fence post is loosed, shake it hard, if it seems too weak or pulls off, then you know there’s work to be done there.
Check your house for weaknesses
Weak spots in your house are the easiest to get damaged by the storm. When the wind hits these places they cannot withstand the force and eventually get ripped off and even blown away. Therefore you have go make sure that every part of your house is in a good condition. If you find any weak spot, repair or replace them.
The major places to get an eye on are the roof, your garden shed if you have one, and the garage door as well. Keep away objects like tools, lawn furniture, flower pots and any other item that can be blown away by the storm. To be on a safe side, move all these items inside the garage or basement. You can also hire an expert to inspect your house and check for these weaknesses, this way you are double sure that you are prepared for whatever is to come.
Trim the trees in your compound
Widely branched untrimmed trees can complicate issues when there a storm. The branches can damage your roof and or even dislodge your shingles if they are not properly nailed. Aside from the roof, they can also damage your windows. These branches can be ripped off and may hit your car or any other valuable item around the house. To protect your roof and other parts of your house make sure to trim the trees from time to time.
Use roof sealants
The roof is usually at the receiving end from the effect of external factors such as rain, storm. sun and ice. These external factors affect the long-term strength and durability of the roof. Luckily there is now a better way to protect your roof, and keep it long-lasting which is to apply sealants on the roof. Waterproof roof sealant serves as a coating for the roof preventing it from degrading quickly.
These roof sealants can also protectqq your roof from ultraviolet rays which can damage roof shingles by causing them to curl over time. They are also fire resistant and prevent the growth of mold on the roof. A degraded roof can be easily damaged when the storm comes, curled shingles give room for wind to enter and blow off the shingles.
You cannnot control the weather, nobody can, but you can control how it affects you and your properties. As a home owner, you should be prepared for the worst, this means taking out the time to ensure that everything is perfectly secured to the best of your ability. Regularly check the roof for holes or leakage, if found, repair it as soon as possible. It is not enough to have a insurance policy for your house, it is likewise important to take critical actions to make sure everything is protected.
