The average roof usually lasts for about 30 years before needing to be replaced. This depends on the kind of roof and if it has sustained any damage.
You must take care of your roof so that it lasts as long as possible. After all, replacing a roof is no small project and is definitely going to be an investment.
Those who live in Louisiana also have to worry about storm damage. You want to make sure your roof’s prepared for any storms that may come.
Keep reading to find out what preventative maintenance to do to prevent storm damage.
Have Inspections
The most important thing you can do for your roof is to have inspections. These inspections can be scheduled annually with your roof service company.
This is a vital part of roof care that ensures that your roof is in good condition. A professional will come and will go onto your roof to inspect the materials and structure.
Homeowners can always do this themselves, but it is not the ideal option. You may not know what to look for, resulting in you thinking your roof is fine when it isn’t.
It can also be dangerous to climb around on your roof if you don’t have experience. Overall, it is usually best to rely on a company to do this for you.
These inspections are usually done annually, but you may want to do them several times a year. It is a good idea to get inspections done before storm season and after.
Your roof is more likely to be damaged if it is already weak in some areas.
Clear Drains
It is important that you clear your roof drains a few times a year. It is usually best to do this before bad weather hits and afterward.
Drains can easily become clogged and overfilled with debris from your roof. This can backup the water and create standing water on your roof.
If this happens, the possibility of your roof developing a leak is very high. Any more extreme cases, standing water can even cause a roof to cave in.
This is a very preventable issue that is especially risky when it comes to storms. If you are experiencing high winds and heavy rain, your drains need to be clear.
You can either attempt to do this yourself, or you can hire someone to do it for you.
Roof Flashing
To prevent storm damage, you need to inspect your roof flashing. This is the material that helps to prevent water from coming through your roof into your home.
When it is stormy, this is at more risk of being damaged and letting water in. If it is already a weak area of your roof, this is very likely to happen during a storm.
The good news is that this is something that will be checked during a roof inspection. If you have a company that comes to do this for you, you won’t have to worry about the flashing.
Remove Hazardous Objects
You want to make sure you prevent roof damage by removing hazardous objects. This is part of preventative maintenance that you should do as often as necessary.
You should regularly step back to examine your roof. Are there any tree branches hanging over your roof? Is debris collecting from nearby trees on your roof?
These are the things that you want to look for so that you can do roof maintenance. You need to cut back overhanging branches and remove leaves and twigs.
This is especially important before a storm that may have heavy winds. This can result in tree branches breaking off and damaging your roof extensively.
What to Do if You have Storm-Related Roof Damage
If you have storm damage to your roof, you may not know what to do. The reality is that this can happen even if you have preventative maintenance in place.
Some storms are worse than others and can result in greater damage. Sometimes it is preventable, and sometimes it is just up to luck, and you have to be prepared.
Here are the next steps you should take if you notice roof damage after a storm.
Assess the Damage
The first thing you want to do is assess how much damage is done to your roof. You can do this by stepping back and observing it, depending on the type of roof you have.
The best thing to do is to climb up on the roof to see everything closely. Be careful when you are doing this, as you don’t want to step on any weak areas.
You should avoid removing anything from the roof or trying to clear it off yourself. In some instances, you can create more damage by trying to remove things from the roof.
Call a Roofing Company
If your roof has been damaged from a storm, you need to call a roofing company. They have experience with different types of roof options and will know what to do.
They will be able to safely examine your roof and repair any damage.
Preparing Your Roof for Storm Damage
If you live in Louisiana, storm damage is something that you may be concerned about. After all, roofs are very vulnerable when it comes to damage from strong winds and debris.
The good news is that there are certain things you can do to prevent this kind of damage.
Do you need to hire a roofing company? Contact us today at Allied Xteriors to request a quote.