Depending on your location, it’s likely that you will experience violent and unpredictable weather blowing through your area. It’s vital that your home, especially the roof, is prepared for it. Whether you’re facing winter, rain, or wind, have a plan in place and ensure your home’s roof is well-prepared for extreme weather conditions. Ideally, human optimism tempts us to believe the worst won’t happen, and then it takes us by storm. A roofing repair or replacement can cost around $5,000 to over $15,000, depending on the extent of the damage. What’s even worse, your insurance company may fail to compensate you for these damages if your roof is old or run down. Preparing your roof for extreme weather conditions is one way to ensure you don’t end up with costly repairs. Here are a few solutions to get you started.
1. Regular Maintenance Check
Conducting a regular maintenance check of your rooftop is vital to keep your roof and tiles in great condition. If done correctly, this practice guarantees your roof a longer lifespan. It is extremely vital to have your roof checked by a professional, especially after a storm. Whether you have metal, terracotta, or cement roofing, the team at roofrepairquote.com.au says you need to have these materials well-maintained. Some extreme weather conditions such as hail or wind can sever roofing material entry points into your house. This means you need a professional to check for any potential gaps or holes on your roof and have them fixed. You don’t want to experience a water-damaged roof, especially during the rainy seasons. It’s a nightmare!
2. Install New Caulking
When performing a maintenance check, pay close attention to the caulk/sealant around chimneys, vent pipes, and counter-flashing. Ideally, the caulk is a sheet metal installed at the joint where walls meet your roofing. Its function is to curb water from entering that particular joint by redirecting water away from it. During cold months, the caulk shrinks and can become cracked or separated if it’s worn out and dry. Installing new caulking will expand and contract with varying weather conditions. This keeps the sensitive areas of your roof dry and watertight. After installation, the new caulk retains a solid seal as it is very supple. Just remember to remove old caulking before installation. You can use a screwdriver to remove it and be careful not to puncture the underlying roof membrane.
3. Check Your Rooftop Accessories
If you have some accessories on your roof, like solar panels, an air conditioning system, or a satellite dish, be sure to secure them. You don’t want them ripped off during a storm, as this can also rip off parts of your roof. Having a hole in your roof will cost you a lot. If there are warnings of a storm happening in your area, you can have the accessories taken down. You can also consider installing flashings on your roof. These are items installed on your roof to indicate penetrations or an angle change in your roof. They are sensitive to water damage compared to other parts of a roof and will need to be inspected regularly. Have an expert inspect them during installation or repair to ensure it’s done properly.
4. Consider Metal
In recent years, metal roofing has gained widespread popularity as a go-to roofing solution. It has some of the lightest roofing materials available. Additionally, it’s also sustainable and durable (about 40 to 70 years). Recently, there have been plenty of variations in the market made available for appearances. The biggest advantage of metal roofing is its high resistance to snow and ice formation. Technically, snow and ice slide off the material, which reduces buildup on rooftops. Also, their reflective and high infrared nature help keep your house cool.
5. Keep the Gutter Clean
Removing debris and leaves from your gutters should be a consistent home improvement activity. It would be best if you doubled your efforts, especially when winter is approaching. The debris in your gutter system will eventually make its way to the downspouts. This causes them to be clogged. If this happens, rainwater will pour out of the gutters, damaging your roof, trim, and siding on its way out. Consider installing guards or gutter screens to prevent your downpipes from clogging. However, it pays to keep your gutters clean all year-round to prevent such occurrences. Remember: the excess weight of debris in your gutter can also cause them to collapse due to increased weight. You will end up incurring high costs in repair over something you could have avoided.
6. Trim the Hedges and Trees
Trimming the hedges and trees around your roof is vital to help avoid roof damage. This is especially critical when the winter winds, ice, and snow arrive. Even if you love those trees, you need to cut off the overhanging branches as they pose a risk to your roof. A single severe storm can break off the branches over your home. This may impose serious damage to your roof. If you cannot do the trimming yourself, hire someone who’s trained to do the task. Even though you can reach some branches, the ones near your roof are likely too high and require an expert.
7. Check the Attic
Hire a professional energy appraiser to analyze the insulation and ventilation in your attic. If the airflow in your attic is restricted, it heats up during hot days. Once the external air cools, this warm air condenses on your internal roof membrane, causing rot, mold growth, and leaks.
8. Upgrade Your Insulation
During your attic maintenance, check on ventilation. Remember to check for missing or damaged insulation. This is vital as it can cause problems leading to ice dams. Warm air from your home’s interior travels to your attic space as there’s not enough insulation to curb the heat transfer. Installing new insulation requires some higher skill, and this is not something every DIYer can do.
Remember: a well-maintained home is a happy home. And what better way to do it than by taking measures to keep your roof safe. Preparing and protecting your roof to do its job is a practice every homeowner needs to adopt. Finally, ensure you arrange for a professional roof inspection after a storm. This inspection helps to reveal issues in your roof that require immediate fixing.
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