Spring is here! Is Your Roof Ready for the Spring Storms?
Spring is a season when a lot of things change, including the weather.
Temperatures can fluctuate from pleasant and bitterly cold.
It’s possible that a week of sunny days will be followed by a week of stormy weather. Even within the same day, significant weather variations might occur.
Heavy winds and severe rains can wreak havoc on your roof, resulting in pricey repairs if not addressed immediately.
Because spring weather is so unpredictable, you may be caught off guard when severe weather strikes—especially if you live in an area where thunderstorms, tornadoes, or flooding are uncommon.
When severe weather strikes suddenly, the chance of roof damage increases.
So planning ahead makes sense; prepare for storms, floods, and tornadoes as if you know they’re coming ahead of time, because they almost certainly will in the spring.
The weather in the Dallas Fort Worth area is generally pleasant between late September and early December.
But come spring time, thunderstorms become more prevalent and could be a cause of concern for homeowners.
What to Expect From Your Roof When Spring Storms hit
When Texas spring storm season begins, your roof does a wonderful job of protecting your home’s interior, but it takes a beating as a result of all its hard work.
Roofs can be damaged in a variety of ways during spring storms.
Hail, wind, rain, and lightning may all damage your roof and home permanently and at a high cost.
Unfortunately, many insurance companies do not cover storm damage to roofs, therefore to protect your roof from storm damage, you must first understand your risks and ensure that your roof is adequately secured before a strong storm strikes.
Leaky ceilings and interiors:
Leakage is by far the most common problem caused — or at the very least aggravated – by spring storms.
Every year in the spring, anything from 10-15 inches of rain fall in Georgia, and it likes to fall in concentrated bursts.
In order to withstand the deluge of water, your roof’s underlayment must form a tight barrier between your home’s interior and your roof.
Flying Debris
Debris is one of the most common causes of roof problems in the spring.
Branches and limbs that fell during the last ice storm, built-up pine needles that fell off the tree cover, and heaps of dead and rotting leaves can all disrupt your roof’s ability to funnel and repel water.
Cleaning your roof and gutters before the spring storms begin is an excellent method to reduce the effect of debris.
Warping and Bending of Roof Components
Water isn’t the only form of precipitation in the spring!
It’s entirely conceivable to see sleet in early spring in Dallas, and it’s also not impossible to witness hail later in the year.
The critical components of a roofing system, from the flashing to the fascia to the gutters themselves, can easily be dented by heavy rain.
It’s time to hire a roofer if rain hits your roof hard enough that you can see physical damage from the ground.
Pooled Water
Roofing components can get twisted or even sag over time.
Water left over from heavy spring rains can pool if this happens.
Pooling water increases the likelihood of your roof leaking, but it can also be very heavy!
That extra weight isn’t ideal for your roof’s structural components, and it can actually weaken them over time.
Rain and Hail
Rain and hail can damage the roofing membrane, resulting in leaks and moisture beneath the layers of the roof, which can lead to mildew and rot.
Leaks and moisture build-up can also be caused by a poorly built single-ply roof with weak seams.
Wind
Wind can cause the roof’s fasteners to move if the building’s roof is mechanically fastened.
If the fasteners move enough to enlarge the holes and the fasteners return out, the movement can create a bigger problem.
The fasteners can pierce the roofing membrane in more severe circumstances.
How to Prepare your Roof for the Coming Storms
- Trim Bushes and Large Tree Branches
Spring is the time to bring in the professionals, regardless of how often you trim and prune the bushes and trees on your property.
While climbing up the roof, a qualified professional roofer will take necessary safety precautions to ensure that the windows, siding, attic, and other structures are not damaged, and can quickly chop down huge and broken branches with proper tools.
- Clear up Debris
The gutters can become clogged by moss, dry leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other organic or inorganic debris on the roof.
Moisture buildup in the attic, roof deck, and underlayment causes damage. As a result, we clear the roof of all debris and keep the gutters and ventilation stacks clear of obstructions.
- Clean out the Gutters
Cleaning the filth and sludge out of the gutters isn’t enough to keep future debris out.
Make that the drainage system is in good working order and that any loose drainpipes or downspouts that could allow water to penetrate the siding or foundation are repaired.
- Clean up Nests made by Animals
Your roofing contractor can look for rodent infestations and bird nests on the roof. Insects and animals can easily find food on the roof and dig, chew, or burrow, causing a huge mess.
Examine the roof for signs of nesting and remove them before they lay eggs, produce babies, and multiply.
- Check the Ceilings for Leaks
The roof and attic, for example, can breathe and allow air to pass through ventilation stacks.
We’ll be there right immediately if you notice damp beams, excessive moisture, sun intrusion, dark spots, dripping water, or other issues. It keeps moss and roof leaks at bay.
- Check for Shingles in Disrepair
If you notice shingles in your yard, you should contact your roofing provider right away.
You can completely avoid this scenario by contacting your roofing contractor before spring arrives.
Make a mental note of any missing, loose, buckling, or damaged shingles and address them immediately.
- Secure the Flashing and Caulking
The protective features that secure the roof seams around elements like chimneys and vents include flashing, sealing, and caulking.
Rainwater might infiltrate the interior portions of your home if they become loose or come off.
It is important to replace the rotten and loose sealant, caulking, weather strips, and flashing to stop water from creeping under the roof materials.
- Fix Areas with Noticeable Damage
Ice, snow, and hail damage can cause the gutters and anchors to become dislodged.
With strong winds, tiles, shingles, and other materials can all be blown away.
In time for the next spring downpour, repair any loose or broken components and replace them with new ones.
- Replace the Roof
Even the best roofing business may be challenged by certain situations.
For example, no matter how many repairs you have, if the original roofer utilized an inappropriate installation technique, you will have problems.
After conducting a thorough roof inspection, it is entirely possible that your roofing contractor will recommend a full replacement of your roof with a more durable construction.
- Review Your Warranty
Roofing contractors can aid you in working out the details with your insurer, as well as understanding warranty coverage and how to deal with insurance deductibles in the event of hailstorms, assuming you have valid insurance.
A Note on Home and Roofing Insurance
Before you start the insurance claim process, you need to know what your homeowner’s insurance covers for your roof.
The amount of time you have to file a claim with an insurance company is determined on the type of damage and the company’s policy.
In general, it’s preferable to call your insurance company as quickly as possible once damage has occurred.
If you need to file a claim due to roof damage, follow these steps:
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- Find out what your coverage covers by contacting your homeowner’s insurance carrier right away.
- Provide “before” and “after” images to your insurance carrier if you have them so they can assess the damage for which you wish to file a claim.
- Give any information you have about the damage’s cause. In the event that your claim is about hail damage, for example, your insurance company will want to know the date of the hailstorm that occurred in your area and may have caused hail damage to your roof.
- Make an appointment with an insurance claims adjuster to assess the damage.
- As quickly as possible, locate a skilled roofer who can examine your home and offer you with a documented roof replacement quote.
Contact K&M Services Today
For the best roofing services in Dallas Fort Worth, contact K&M Services.
We offer a free professional inspection of your roof and guarantee world class workmanship.
Whether its spot repairs, cleaning, or full on replacement of your roof, our professional team will figure out what best suits your needs.
We can even help you sort through your insurance claims and prevent unnecessary expenses.
