Depending on where you live and own property, you’re going to have your own set of specific concerns to manage. When it comes to extreme weather conditions, there are several roofing tips you need to keep in mind to help ensure you, your family, and your home are safe and dry no matter the weather.
Conduct Regular Maintenance Check-Ups
A big thing that can help keep your roof in mint condition for a longer span of time is checking up on the roof. Ideally, have a professional roofer come over and examine the current state of your roof. You might want to do this, especially after extreme weather conditions like hail or wind, as these events can sever roofing material entry points into your home. If gaps or holes are found and fixed early, you can avoid water damage and extend the life of your roof.
Keep an Eye on Caulking
The weakest part of a roofing job tends to be the caulk/sealant around protruding items like chimneys, counterflashing, and vent pipes. During colder temperatures, caulk can shrink and crack or separate. Having new caulking installed any time hints of cracks appear will help keep your roof strong for years to come.
Understand Roofing Materials
If you’re in the market for a new roof, one of the things you’ll want to carefully consider is the material used for the roofing and how that material fares in the weather conditions you can expect. Roofing options include asphalt, clay/concrete, metal, slate, wood, and synthetic. Engineers have developed a wide array of options, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
For Extreme Weather, Consider Metal Roofing
You’ve probably seen a metal roof or two in your day, but you might not have known how effective this type of roofing is in regards to extreme weather, including 140-mile-an-hour hurricane winds, hail storms, heavy rain, and wildfires.
- Because metal roofing is nearly impenetrable by moisture, they are an ideal choice in locations where heavy rainfall and torrential downpour can be expected.
- In areas where wildfires are common, it’s worth noting that metal roofs have a class A rating for fire resistance.
- Snow and ice tend to slide off metal roofing meaning there’s high resistance to snow and ice formation.
Metal roofing also tends to last two or three times longer than other materials and is also more sustainable. Typically metal roofing is made from recycled materials and can be recycled after you and your home are done with them. As a bonus, in summer months, metal roofing can help you save energy (hence why they’re sometimes called “cool roofs”) as they reflect more solar radiation than asphalt, which tends to absorb heat.
Metal roofing (especially tin or galvanized steel) is far less expensive than other less-weather-resistant types of roofing. As a side note, if you’re one of those who love the idea of being as off-grid as possible, metal roofing is the best for collecting rainwater as there are no chemicals, tar, or dirt attaching to the rainwater as it comes off the roof.
Understanding Your Roofing Team
The majority of us are getting help when it comes to installing roofing or repairing portions of a roof. When looking for a company, you’re seeking a team with many years of professional experience.
When reaching out to a company, always ask for a free estimate so you have an idea of what your roofing needs might cost. Be sure to emphasize the weather conditions in your area and any special treatments you believe the roof might need. There are different roofing shapes that hold up better during intense storms like hurricanes. It might be worth looking into the structure of your roof if you live in an at-risk area.
You want to have a clear understanding of the entire process, including stripping away the old, installing underlayers, and installing over layers like shingles or metal roofing. Luckily for you, Crank Deck and Roof have an excellent breakdown of the stages involved in roofing. Make sure you understand what you’re looking at for your particular home.
Trim Nearby Trees and Hedges
Trimming the plants that grow near your roof is a big part of avoiding roofing damage during strong winds, ice, and snow. Overhanging branches need to be trimmed so they can’t fall off and hit your roof during severe storms. You might need to hire an expert for this depending on how high up the branches are and how accessible they are.
The above tips should help you care for your roofing needs no matter the weather. Of course, every home is different, and this means that to have an idea of your particular house’s building needs, reach out to a local professional.
