Come hail and high winds! Is your roof prepared to withstand the summer storm season? As Calgarians, we are used to some pretty crazy weather patterns; especially in the winter months. That being said, our summer storms can bring the pain as well. Let’s talk strategy and make sure your roof is prepared for the summer storm season of 2018.
How to Prepare
First things first, prepare your roof and yard for the potential threat of summer storms rolling through fast and fierce. Have a roof inspection done now that winter is over. This will ensure that the snow didn’t cause any damage to your roof that will cause it to degrade even further with the summer storms rolling through. This is a great defence to serious damage. If an inspection isn’t in the budget, there are a few things you can do yourself.
- Clean your gutters. Gutters, drains and scuppers can get clogged up with debris over the winter and spring. Make sure these are clean so that water can flow freely and escape your roof instead of pooling somewhere and cause excess damage.
- Tree removal. If you have trees near your home, consider trimming them back so there is less risk of a fallen branch landing on your roof.
Hail
Hail is a type of precipitation that takes the form of balls of ice. It can occur when a severe storm passes through. If the hail is large enough it can cause damage to your roof. Depending on the material type of roof you have, the hail storm can damage asphalt shingles, splinter wood, or even make holes in your roof. The damage can lead to leaks and water damage; causing mold, mildew and rotting wood. If left untreated, the water damage can cause the roof to weaken and fail over time.
High Winds
Living in the flatter areas, the wind has a tendency to pick up quickly. The wind itself doesn’t cause much damage; it’s when wind-driven debris is brought into the mix that things get wrecked. High winds can cause structural damage if power lines, poles or trees happen to land on your home. The wind can catch loose branches, shrubs and other debris that can get blown about and cause defects. As we mentioned above, make sure you have an inspection done on your roof every major change in season, if you don’t, you run the risk of experiencing damaged due to previous defects and deterioration without knowing the possibility of a problem.
Aftermath
Post-summer storm, it is important to inspect your roof. Look for debris and pooling water, cuts and punctures in the roof membrane, any metal edges that have been lifted and possible damage to skylights, attic windows and flashing.
If you are concerned about the state of your roof pre- or post-summer storm, we are here to help. We are happy to help you check and prepare your homestead for any storm coming our way this summer.
