Weather can be a homeowner’s worst enemy, causing wear and tear on your roof. The sun can weaken shingles and damage paint, while wind may lead to debris damage. Heavy rain can worsen the situation. In regions prone to severe weather like hurricanes, tornadoes, or hail, storm damage can be catastrophic. Winter storms bring heavy snow and ice, potentially harming your roof’s structure and causing leaks through ice dams.
You might think there’s nothing you can do during a storm, but the right preparation can minimize damage. Follow this list to maintain your roof. If you need a home roof replacement, reach out to our team at NuHome.
Maintain Your Gutters
When your gutters or downspouts are clogged, it means water can’t properly drain from your roof. This leads to water piling up on your roof and sneaking under the shingles, which can cause leaks in your home. If your gutters are bent or not level, they won’t guide water to the downspouts correctly, and this can create puddles in the gutter. Make sure to inspect the fasteners that hold your gutters in place. When leaves and debris make your gutters heavy, they might detach from the roof, possibly damaging parts of your roof in the process.
Groom Trees and Branches
Cut back tree limbs or small branches that hang over your house. Even branches that only graze the roof can harm it, especially when they sway in the wind and lift shingles. If dead or big branches break off and fall on your roof, they can cause serious damage, like cracking roof beams or breaking through the roof itself. Trim your trees once a year and make sure branches are at least six feet away from your roof. This will reduce the chances of branches falling and prevent leaves and other debris from piling up on your roof.
Stop Ice Dams from Forming
Winter storms can bring risks similar to summer storms. Frozen branches can snap more easily, even without strong winds, and snow can melt and refreeze, causing ice dams. To protect your home, preventing ice dams is the first step. If an ice dam does form, having an ice and water shield provides excellent leak protection during tough winter weather.
Have Your Roof Inspected by a Professional
Taking care of your roof is crucial to make it last a long time. It’s especially crucial before stormy seasons because regular upkeep helps you catch problems before they become big issues. If you haven’t had your roof checked in a while, it’s a good idea to call a professional roofer. They can inspect your roof thoroughly and fix any problems they find.
When shingles are missing or damaged, they let wind and rain get through and harm your roof. Cracked or loose tiles also need to be fixed or replaced because they can become dangerous in strong winds. Any parts of your roof that seem worn out or show signs of damage are more likely to fail during a storm. It’s best to deal with these issues before the storm season arrives.
Get in Touch with Us for Home Roof Replacement Services in Fairfax, VA
Sometimes, no matter how much you maintain your roof, home roof replacement services are necessary. Whether it’s from wear and tear over the years or storm damage, a quality roof is of utmost importance. Contact our team at NuHome for a free quote.
