Tips to Protect Your Roof Before the Stormy Season

Weather forecasts predict that the 2022 Atlantic storm season will be more active than normal due to various factors, including warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures and high cyclic wind conditions.

High winds and heavy rains can damage roofs to cause leaks and other problems which could pose a safety hazard. However, there are things you can do now to prevent damage and ensure your home stands strong in the face of Mother Nature's wrath.

Here are some tips on how to reinforce your roof before the stormy season.

Inspect Your Roof

Check for missing or damaged shingles and tiles, especially if your area is prone to violent storms. This inspection ensures you identify any damaged shingles or tiles that leave gaps that would allow water damage to creep in.

Investigate the integrity of your roof structure, truss, and decking. Check your plywood sheathing, sheeting, and decking by lifting it and looking for cracks or loose screws that may have come loose during installation, especially if you've had a storm recently. Additionally, look for gaps in roofing materials around skylights or vents on each side of your house.

If there are gaps between overlapping pieces of roofing material, fill them with wood scraps or spray foam insulation before you apply new layers over of them 

Trim Trees and Other Vegetation

Overhanging branches can damage your roof during a storm, so remove them before the storm season begins. Cut back branches close to the roof, including those that hang over it, and remove any dead branches from trees and shrubs that grow near your roof.



Additionally, trim back any vegetation that has begun to grow on your roof's surface, particularly if it has sprouted up after the last stormy season and may be causing damage to shingles or other components of your home's exterior structure.

Prepare Your Gutters

Make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris before the storm season begins since clogged gutters can cause water to back up and damage your roof. Remove leaves and debris from the gutter and any other materials that may be blocking them. If you cannot clean out all of the dirt buildups in your gutters, consider hiring someone else for this task.

Ensure that these areas are free from debirs when rain hits them during storms like those expected later this summer and fall. Make sure downspouts connect directly into a drainpipe so water doesn't back up inside them and leak into your home or yard.

Benefits of a Professional Roof Inspection Before Stormy Season

In addition to the precautions you can take on your own, you should hire a professional roofing company to perform an inspection. This will offer the following benefits.

Reduce the Risk of Damage

If you reinforce your roof before the stormy season, there's less chance it could sustain any damage. Arguably, regions with high winds or heavy rainfalls necessitate roof inspection and reinforcement before the stormy season as it helps protect against any potential impacts on the surrounding environment, including any property in the vicinity of your home, from these weather conditions.

Reduce the Cost of Repairs

Using proper protection methods, you can reduce the post-repair costs that you may spend on damaged roofs after a storm.

Reduce the Risk of Injury

If you live in an area that experiences high winds or heavy rainfalls, it's important to reinforce your roof so that you don't risk any injuries from loose fittings and shingles or weakened roof supports. 

A thorough inspection of the roof, including the gutters and downspouts, can help identify any potential problems so you can repair or replace them before the storm season begins.

Have you followed these tips and realized that your roof is unprepared for any severe storm event that may compromise its integrity and your home's safety? Reach out to us at Alpha Roofing Services for inspection, installation, repair, and refurbishment.