Hail and Wind Storms: Roof Repair, Preparation, and Replacement
Hail and Wind storms are sadly a fact of life if you live in the midwest, just like hurricanes are standard fare weather for the east and gulf coasts. It’s true that you never know what the weather will hold, but there are some things you can do to prepare, which can minimize the damage to your property.
What to do before the storm
Unfortunately, you can’t do much to prepare your roof when a storm is coming. The best thing is to remove gunk from your gutters so water will flow properly away from your foundation, and remove possible sources of debris from your yard. Regularly trimming trees to prevent them from falling onto your house is a good practice too. The best preparation you can take to protect your home, though, is to make sure you have a roof installed by a professional using quality materials. Some materials are better at dealing with severe weather than others. For example, metal roofing can deal with high winds exceeding 100mph, while asphalt shingles may blow right off. Ultimately, the installation matters most. A properly installed roof will hold up better than a poorly installed one.
What to do after the storm
After the storm has passed and you’ve cleared away the debris is when you will discover any damage your home may have suffered. Hiring a professional to do an inspection of your property to help you identify any damages is a good idea. Walking on roofs that may be damaged could result in injury, or further damage. If you see damage from the ground, it’s probably a lot worse up on the roof. Hire a professional roofing contractor to go up on the roof and place an emergency tarp over it to protect the interior of your home from sustaining more damage. Even if you don’t see obvious damage from the ground, having a professional inspect the roof is advisable, because missing shingles, holes in the roof, or a torn-off roof may be obvious, but structural damage, and leaks are harder to spot. A professional roofing inspector identify all the damage and give you the information you need for repair and replacement for insurance purposes.
Finding a qualified inspector is essential to ensure that your roof is safe and sound for you and your family. Don’t hire just anyone willing to get on your roof. Do your research and choose a roofing professional with recommendations, someone you can trust. Their inspection should be thorough and detailed. You don’t want any damage to go unnoticed. Once the inspection is complete, consider their recommendations and act quickly. Your roof is not something to skimp on, so get it repaired or replaced if need be.
When it’s time for your roof replacement or repair
For storm damage repairs and replacements, vet your contractor thoroughly, and watch out for “storm-chasers” who follow natural disasters, preying on homeowners in need with temptingly low prices. These people may promise a great roof, but they are in business to sell you a roof, and often use substandard materials and rookie crews to install your roof. Five years after the installation, when it fails, they are nowhere to be found. Instead, choose a local contractor with a history of work in your area, over someone offering a deal too good to be true.
Whatever you face in the coming months, we hope you and your family stay safe. If your roof is damaged, find a quality contractor to repair or replace it.