3 Tips to Prepare Your Roof for Windstorms
Minnesotans know how to prepare for blizzards and hail storms, but what about windstorms? What protective measures can be taken to prepare your roof for strong winds? Thankfully, it’s nothing too drastic. We have three tips to share with you today, so let’s jump in.
Inspect roof flashings
Let’s start by defining what a roof flashing is. It’s the most important single component of a roof system since it acts as a weather seal along the perimeter of a roof and where the roof meets the wall. It also protects structures such as skylights, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment.
If the flashing becomes loose or develops gaps, it could cause leakage, pests, and mold. Doing a quick sweep to make sure there are no holes for the wind to sneak under will prevent bigger damages from occurring.
Clean roof drainage
Your gutters and downspouts become clogged throughout the seasons, as you may well know. It’s not a fun job necessarily, but cleaning these components will prevent leaks, especially during high-pressure winds. While you’re at it, double-check that your gutters and downspouts are securely attached to your home. You don’t want a stray downspout slamming against your windows in a high-wind storm. This brings us to our final point…
Removing Loose Debris
Look all around your yard and home for any sort of loose debris and remove it if possible. This could be brush and branches, lawn furniture, or home components like those downspouts. We want to avoid debris from flying onto your roof and potentially causing shingles to rip, or chimneys to break.