Storm Preparation for Your Roof

The residents of the Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden areas experience four distinct seasons each year, but that varied weather can also bring severe storms. Fast winds and heavy precipitation often accompany those strong weather events, and if you’ve neglected roof maintenance, your home might be vulnerable to roof damage.

​Instead of examining your roof for damage after a storm, what about making preparations that keep your roof solid, no matter what weather occurs? In this blog, you’ll learn the types of stormy weather that can affect your roof and how to perform reliable pre-storm checks.

Weather That Affects Your Roof

Roofing materials are built to be tough and durable. As a homeowner, you can expect your roof to last for 15 to 20 years. Of course, no roof is indestructible, and the weather is one of the most common culprits of roof damage, particularly avoidable roof damage.

How exactly do various weather types affect roofs? The sections below cover the basics.

Wind

Strong, gusting winds can tear asphalt shingles off a roof or split metal roofing sheets apart from one another. During a severe windstorm or tornado, you might even see shingles flying down the streets of your neighborhood.

Hail

Of all the forms of precipitation, hail has the most force as it falls, meaning it could cause the greatest amount of roof damage. The repeated pelting of the hailstones can dent metal roofing or knock granules off asphalt shingles. Either kind of damage weakens the roof’s ability to protect the building underneath.

Rain

While rain can’t cause the same degree of exterior damage like hail, its liquid form easily slips through any weak points in the roof. Once inside, the rain makes wood damp, which could lead to mold growth. On the outside, rain can also cause loose shingles to slide off the roof or buckle and curl at the edges.

Snow and Ice

The biggest roofing problems presented by winter weather fall into two main categories: weight and wetness. After a huge snowstorm, old and poorly maintained roofs could bend or even collapse under the weight (but that happens very rarely). More likely the freezing and melting cycles will allow snow to melt and then form destructive ice that builds up beneath shingles or in gutters.

Roofing damage from these weather conditions isn’t always entirely avoidable, but you can minimize the effects with a few preventative steps.

Ways to Prevent Roof Storm Damage

When the local weather station announces a big storm is coming, take the following steps to protect your roof and your home. Always remember to use caution when climbing on ladders or inspecting home elements that are above ground level.

1. Perform a visual inspection of your roof. For example, look for missing or curled shingles. These represent points of weakness in your roof. Also, look for any bent or unattached flashing since water could also enter through these areas.

2. Clear out the debris in your gutters to prevent water overflow. As you inspect the gutters, also check the soffit and fascia for weak points.

3. Look for any tree branches that could potentially break off and fall on the roof. Trim or remove these branches.

4. Go into your attic and inspect for signs of previous water damage, such as dampness or mold. If you spot any obvious places where water is entering your home, put up boards or other temporary fixes. Bring in a roofer to fix the holes before the storm hits, if possible.

What to Do If Room Storm Damage Still Happens

Even after your best efforts, Mother Nature might have stronger forces at work during a storm that causes some harm to your roof. In those situations, reach out to a roofing professional at Rock Solid Roofing. We’re happy to inspect your roof after a storm and recommend quick fixes or upgrades that will keep your home protected.