Many homeowners worry about the chances of their house weathering a storm — and for a good reason. A storm can wreak havoc on your home, and even completely destroy your roofing if it’s not sound enough. The reconstruction can put you in a bad financial situation, and you should do everything you can to avoid this.
Moreover, heavy winds and rainfall can also cause leaks, shaking the shingles loose or causing your roof to collapse in the process. Luckily, you can avoid this by making sure your roof is installed properly and in perfect condition at all times. So, let’s see what steps you can take to ensure your roof can weather even the more severe storms.
The materials and different types of roofs have certain wind ratings. Depending on the building code for your area, your roof will also have to meet a certain rating.
For example, regions prone to severe weather require a high rating, to be able to survive wind speeds of up to 150mph. Moreover, roofs in these areas also need to have sturdy shingles that won’t start lifting and peeling. So, you’ll need to check the required rating beforehand, to ensure you build a suitable roof.
There’s a list of criteria your roof needs to measure up to in order to weather a storm. In addition to the wind rating, you’ll also need to use storm rated adhesives and impact-resistant roofing.
By using the best materials and taking the necessary precautions, you’ll ensure that no shingles start falling off with the first wind. Additionally, if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, you will also have to install roof brackets and trusses. Finally, make sure to set everything firmly in place, and ensure your attic has proper ventilation.
The best thing you can do for the safety of your roof and home is to have regular check-ups. You can hire an inspector, or even climb the roof by yourself and look for water or mold damage, as well as signs of leaks.
Unfortunately, if you notice any signs of damage, there’s nothing you can do except replace the affected areas. The problem has to be remedied as quickly as possible, since waiting around will make the problem significantly worse.
Call a roofing expert and have them get everything back in order to make sure your roof is storm-ready. Also, make sure to schedule or perform an inspection at least every 6 months to secure yourself greater peace of mind.
High-quality materials will allow your roof to survive the storm, and you should never pinch pennies on them. Also, never postpone your semi-annual checkups. By catching issues on time, you can prevent any major damage from occurring and wreaking havoc on your home and finances.
Finally, keep in mind that smaller repairs will cost you significantly less than having to re-roof your home. If your roof fulfills all of the criteria we have mentioned and goes through regular and thorough inspections — you can rest assured it will weather every storm.