STORM PROOF YOUR ROOF

Storm proof your roof in Dallas Fort-Worth, Texas! DFW has some of the most pleasant weather in the country, but when the occasional storm or hurricane does hit, is your roof prepared for the worst?

Roofing damage due to severe weather is one of the costliest scenarios that a modern homeowner could encounter.

Storms will come inevitably and sometimes unexpectedly, bringing high winds and heavy downpours.

Getting caught unprepared could end up costing you thousands of dollars in roofing repairs.

Fortunately there are many ways to stay one step ahead of the roofing game.

Our roofing experts at K&M Services have compiled a comprehensive list of essential information to help you keep your roof and your home secure for when storm season comes our way.

Keep your gutters clean

Gutters and downspouts are notoriously prone to collecting debris.

Blocked drainways can cause water to pool or overflow in undesirable ways, causing your roof to incur water-damage that could weaken the integrity of the area involved.

This might go unnoticed until severe weather arrives, so make sure to clear out leaves, branches and chipped off roof shingles to avoid clogging and build up.

Hose down your gutters and downspouts regularly to check if the water flows freely through your drain system and that there are no leaks all throughout.

If leaks are found, it’s important to have those plugged, as they could also cause water pooling and overflow.

Trim down Trees and vegetation around the house

High winds can sometimes cause heavy branches or entire trees to fall and damage your house.

Even small branches could sway violently with the stormwinds, causing them to scrape and scratch against your roof and walls.

As a preemptive measure, cut down large branches that could potentially threaten your roof, and trim back overgrowth that touches your walls or hovers above your roof.

Doing this will also minimize debris and make cleaning out the gutters a lot easier in the future.

Have Your Flat Roof Waterproofed

When heavy rains and strong winds begin to batter your roof, water damage will wear down your roof’s integrity and create leaks, dishevel shingles, and make your entire roof vulnerable to high winds.

A good waterproofing treatment can have a dramatic effect on your roof’s longevity, whether it be single ply, metal or modified bitumen.

High-quality waterproofing is recommended when expecting storm surges or rainy seasons.

FInd Damaged Roof Parts to Replace or Repair

Existing damage to your roof can become worse over time and during storm season.

It will also be more difficult to find time to repair these issues come the rainy days, so it is best to inspect and replace damaged parts while the weather is fair.

Look for loose shingles, discolorations in the walls, leaks, and damaged flashings.

Hose down your roof and be wary of pooled water, as this will become problematic once the storms bring constant rains.

Make sure to replace broken or rusty screws that hold down your gutters, as they may come loose due to high winds.

Schedule a Roof Inspection

It’s good to get a professional check-up for your roof before the storm hits.

Have your roof checked for damaged or missing shingles, discoloration, leaks or cracks.

A good roofing service will also include inspections of flashings in hidden corners of gutters, chimneys, windows and doors, to prevent water from seeping in through small openings.

Even minor damage could potentially worsen and get out of hand come storm season, so it’s best to nip those in the bud before they become a nightmare.

Develop a Roof Maintenance Schedule

Many roofing issues can be avoided by having a maintenance routine.

Keeping your roof in shape will help it withstand severe weather when it does finally come.

Make it a habit to check your roof at least once a month in order to keep one step ahead of the storm seasons and to avoid costly repairs due to worsening conditions.

Check With Your Insurance

Ask about your replacement cost coverage regarding your roof before the storm hits.

Having an updated and comprehensive insurance could save you thousands of dollars worth of roof repairs.

Do an annual review of your homeowners insurance to make sure your insurance is kept up to date.

Secure Rooftop Equipment

Check up on your rooftop items, such as solar panels, satellite dishes, rainwater collectors, or any other machinery, and specifically look at the fittings that keep them bolted down to the roof.

A storm could potentially blow these items right off your roof and rip up the shingles along with them. Secure them properly before the storm season arrives to avoid costly damages and complicated repairs.

After the storm

Once the storm passes, it is important to make another check on your roof as soon as possible.

Even minimal damage sustained by your roof could worsen over time if left on its own, so it is best to preemptively repair anything broken or dislodged by the storm.

You could check it by yourself or hire a professional to make a thorough inspection, but don’t wait too long.

What to look for

It’s easy to overlook small damages, so make a thorough inspection.

The most obvious things to check for are missing or damaged shingles, missing metal flashings, warping or bending of the entire roof, and water build up.

Shingles could have been thrown off the roof completely, so check the surroundings as well for any chunks of debris.

Best roofs for Weathering Storms

High winds are capable of ripping off old and dilapidated roofs that have not seen proper care and maintenance.

Avoiding this scenario is possible if you know your roofing materials.

We have compiled a list of the most common types of roofing and assessed how they fare against the stormwinds.

Metal roofing

Metal roofs are considered the safest and most secure option available in dealing with storms and heavy rains.

Metal roofs can withstand up to 160 mph winds – the highest rated among all roof types.

They can be a bit pricier than the more common asphalt shingles, and many consider them unattractive to look at, but when safety and longevity is your main concern, metal is your best choice for roofing

Clay and concrete tiles

Clay or concrete tiles have the widest range of choices of custom colors and shapes, making them a popular choice for discerning homeowners.

Curved tiles are nice to look at and can withstand winds of up to around 130 mph, which is only seen in the most extreme storms.

They are quite expensive and time consuming to install and repair should they get damaged, but they are quite resilient against water damage, as they do not rust or warp.

Slate tiles

Apart from being aesthetically pleasing, slate tiles are an eco-friendly option in roofing, something that more and more concerned homeowners are looking for.

Quality workmanship is crucial when installing a slate roof because slate is much heavier than other roofing shingles and is a lot more expensive too.

The average wind speed resistance is also quite low at around 110 mph.

When slate tiles get dislodged by high winds, they could cause massive damage due to their sheer weight and density.

But they are quite resilient to water damage, and are typically rated to last around 50 years with proper maintenance.

Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing shingles in North America because of their low cost to buy and install.

They are also cheap to maintain and replace.

But they are not designed to withstand winds beyond 110 mph, and some worn out, recycled or reclaimed asphalt shingles buckle when struck with 50 mph winds.

In places with frequent extreme hurricanes, asphalt shingles are not recommended.

However, in Dallas Fort-Worth, hurricanes are not as common, so asphalt shingles remain a viable option for homeowners on a budget.

Wooden shakes

Wooden shakes or wooden shingles are made from split logs and function very similarly to most shingles.

They are one of the most resilient roofing materials you could use against high winds, but don’t do quite as well with water damage.

While it is considered aesthetically pleasing by most customers, they are quite a bit more expensive than the common asphalt shingles, and can be even more costly to install.

They also tend to need more cleaning and maintenance, as they are vulnerable to water damage, warping or peeling due to their tendency to absorb water and succumb to molds and termites.

Call Your Roofing Contractor in Dallas-Fort Worth

Roof maintenance can be difficult and time consuming to do on your own.

Your best option is to call a professional roofing contractor who can assess the condition of your roof after the storm.

K&M Services offers a free and full inspection of your roof by our roofing experts before we conduct any repairs or replacements.

We guarantee honest assessment and high quality service.