Minnesota’s summer storm season is known for heavy rain, high winds, and the occasional tornado. All of which are intimidating for homeowners – you never know what may happen to your home. Here’s the essential storm checklist for all Minnesotans, so you can be prepared and act quickly if you do sustain damage to your roof.
- Secure and store loose items around your house
- This includes patio furniture, yard decor, and garden equipment. You want to prevent these items from becoming flying debris and damaging your home during a storm, especially in high winds.
- Check your insurance policy.
- Make sure you’re educated in your coverage and what steps you would need to take should damage occur. Take photos of your home now, so that if you do sustain damage, you have proof.
- Check large trees for weaknesses and damage.
- Trees are one of the most common reasons homeowners file claims after a storm. Look for signs of decay, brittleness, or withering to determine if the tree needs to be removed.
- After inspecting trees, give them a good trim.
- Clean gutters and downspouts.
- Blocked gutters will prevent water from flowing off your roof. This causes water to stand, and slowly seep under your shingles and into your home.
- Hire for a professional inspection.
- This is what will make your roof last as long as possible. Routine inspections will spot problems before they become critical, especially after a storm.
If damage does occur, act quickly. Have a few tarps on hand to patch any leaks, and know the numbers for your roofer and your insurance company, so you can get assistance right away. The longer you wait, the bigger the problem will be!