Anybody living in Beaverton or surrounding communities knows there’s always the possibility of unexpected damage from storms, especially ones involving thunder and lightning, heavy rain or hail, and high winds. Realistically, it’s not possible to guarantee you’ll never experience blow-offs, leaks, and other problems related to storm damage. Still, there are some things you can do to increase your odds of not experiencing major roof-related issues as storm season kicks into full gear.
- Trim Nearby Tree Branches
If you have a lot of overhanging trees close to your roof, have them professionally trimmed. By doing so, you’ll reduce the risk of tree branches flying onto your roof during a storm and puncturing the surface. All it takes is one puncture to cause serious damage to your roof and its underlying components. The general recommendation is to trim all branches or dead limbs that come within six feet of your roof.
- Clean Your Gutters
While gutters can be decorative, they also serve one very important purpose — to allow rainwater to efficiently drain off of your roof. It’s even more important for this process to smoothly occur during a storm that’s producing several inches of rain within a fairly short period of time. If your gutters are clogged, the excess water will stay on your roof. It can then work its way under shingles. Excess roof water can also affect other parts of your roof system, such as flashing, underlying membranes, and the eaves membrane or soffit.
- Get Regular Roof Inspections
Water has a way of finding even the tiniest cracks and crevices on a roof. For this reason, the best way to be prepared for storms is to have your roof inspected at least once a year, or seasonally if your home is in an area that’s directly exposed to the elements. During the course of an inspection, roofing contractors can spot smaller issues that can usually be taken care of with less effort and expense. Additionally, roofers can check for granule loss, loose edges, and other signs suggesting shingles may not be able to withstand added strain from a storm.
Following a severe storm, take a moment to do a visual inspection of your roof from the ground. Even if you’re not seeing anything more than a few blown-off shingles, it’s best to err on the side of caution and have Beaverton roofing contractors check out your roof. Taking this step can also make it easier to file a claim with your insurance company if there are additional roof problems that need attention.