We all know that spring and summer in Nebraska means more than sunny skies and baseball. It also brings unpredictable Midwest weather. Not all damage can be prevented, but steps can be taken to minimize the chances of your home being damaged in a summer storm.
The most vulnerable part of your home is also the most important to your home’s integrity: the roof. During the summer, your roof can take quite a beating from heat, sunlight, high winds, pounding rain, and hail. If you are concerned about the age or integrity of your roof, now is definitely the time to get an inspection.
Here are 4 steps you should take now to save yourself future issues:
Trim Surrounding Trees
It is extremely important to trim any trees that have dead, dying, or dangling branches. Pay especially close attention to any branches that hang over your roof. During storms, major winds can cause these vulnerable branches to break loose and fall onto your home.
Large branches are a concern, but remember that small branches can also damage the surface of your shingles, leading to granular loss and damage of their protective coating. Give your roof at least a 6 foot clearance from all branches whether they are big or small. For tips and best practices on trimming your trees, check out the article by Tree Care Tips.org
Clean out Your Gutters
Clean out your gutters! The purpose of gutters is to catch rain from your roof and move it away from your home. When your gutters do not work properly, you risk foundation leaks, mold, and rotting of your fascia boards. This allows moisture to enter your home, which can cause serious damage to ceilings and drywall.
If your gutters are regularly overflowing any time we get rain, there are three main causes that may need to be addressed. First, there may be debris clogging the gutter and/or downspout flow. This can be solved by, you guessed it, cleaning out your gutters!
Second, your gutters may not be positioned correctly. The pitch and tilt of your gutters makes a big difference in performance. If the gutter is tilting away from your house, it could be causing an overflow, particularly during heavy storms. The pitch of the gutter can also cause overflow if it is too steep. Lack of pitch will cause water to gather in one spot.
Third, your gutters may be too small. If you have inspected the roof and found no debris and measured the pitch and everything is well-balanced but you still have overflow, you may need bigger gutters installed on your home. To learn more about cleaning your gutters, Bob Vila has some information for you!
Check for Leaks
Checking for leaks on your roof before the summer storms hit is very important. Leaks can cause havoc on your home by damaging your insulation, electrical wiring, drywall, and so much more. If you have musty odors in certain rooms, water stains on your ceiling, spots on your exterior walls, or missing or warped shingles, chances are very high that you have a roof leak. A Dynasty professional can spot issues before they get worse. Reach out for a free inspection.
Make Repairs
Be sure to make note of any problems you have noticed and make a game plan to get them addressed. Make a list and prioritize repairs from biggest to smallest. A small repair now will be an even bigger problem if it goes unattended, especially if a storm rolls through.
If you see a long list of repairs looming or are uncertain of where you should begin, schedule a professional inspection to determine if you need to plan for a more extensive roof repair than you can handle or even a replacement. Have your gutters evaluated if you suspect they are too small.
Staying on top of any minor issues will help give your home’s exterior a longer life. Let the professionals at Dynasty Restoration provide expert advice and assist with any repairs your home may need to survive the summer! For a Free Estimate, Contact us Today!
