From stifling heat to intense storms and everything in between, your roof has much to endure over its lifespan. Though the weather in Omaha and various areas around the United States can be erratic, storms are to be expected each year and can leave a serious mark on your roof. So, it’s important to prepare for this threat to your roof so that you can prevent severe damage that could lead to a necessary roof replacement. After all, your roof may be more susceptible to storm damage than you think, and prevention is always preferable to repairs.
Here, we’ll cover our top maintenance and repair recommendations to protect your roof from storm damage. Remember that the skilled AGR Roofing and Construction team is ready to help prevent and repair damage to your Omaha roof.
Roof Inspections
Your roof should be inspected at least once per year. During the inspection, the inspector will search for weaknesses and risk factors that could lead to roof damage. Your home’s ceilings, interior walls, and attics will also be checked for water damage, proper insulation, and proper ventilation. Then, you can implement the proper maintenance or repair strategies to restore the strength of your roof. If minor roofing issues go unnoticed, your roof’s risk for severe storm damage will rise exponentially.
Install Insulation
Having insulation installed is an important protective measure for all Omaha roofs. During the winter months, cold outdoor temperatures and the warmth of your heated home can clash on your roof, leading to uneven surface temperatures. If a snowstorm strikes, the snow may melt and refreeze as ice. Ice can be extremely damaging to your roofing system, as it traps moisture over your roof. Melted snow can even seep into the deeper layers of your roof and refreeze, causing damage throughout your roof.
Ice dams occur as a result of uneven roof temperatures. An ice dam forms if snow in the middle of your roof melts and flows to the edges, then refreezes. More melted snow may pool behind an ice dam, putting your roofing materials at risk for deterioration and potentially causing a leak.
With insulation, the surface temperature of your roof will be effectively regulated, minimizing your risk for ice dams and other forms of ice damage to your roof.
Clean The Roof
Over time, debris like leaves, pine needles, and twigs can build up on your roof. This debris can cause problems in multiple ways, especially if a storm strikes. Precipitation can get the debris wet, preventing the water from simply flowing off of your roof and into your gutters. As we mentioned above, when water sits on your roof, it will cause your roofing materials to deteriorate faster. In severe circumstances, the trapped moisture can cause a leak in your roof.
To keep debris from creating a major issue for your Omaha roof, make sure to have your roof cleaned regularly. Debris can also accumulate in your gutters and cause a clog, so make sure to have your gutter system regularly cleaned as well.
Take Care of The Gutters
Speaking of your home’s gutters: It’s crucial to pay attention to your gutters for storm damage prevention. If your gutters are clogged, punctured, or otherwise damaged, a storm may lead to serious damage. Clogged gutters can’t properly direct water away from your home and could cause water damage to your home’s roof, siding, and foundation in a storm. So, keep up with gutter maintenance with yearly inspections. If your gutters are damaged beyond repair, be sure to have them replaced promptly.
Avoid Tree Damage
Trees present a large risk to the condition of your roof, especially in a storm. Overhanging branches can scratch against the surface of your roof in high winds, compromising the outer protective layer of your shingles. If branches break and fall onto your roof, they may puncture its surface. Deep punctures can lead to roof leaks.
In a major storm, any old trees on your property may be at risk for falling. If a tree falls onto your roof, a full roof replacement will almost certainly be in order. To avoid this problem, make sure to have aging or dead trees removed from your property.
AGR Roofing and Construction is here to protect your roof against storm damage. Contact us today to learn more.
