Protect Your Roof Against Winter Storm Damage
Our MidSouth winters offer beautiful, snow-capped landscapes, chimneys piping smoke on cold nights, and the company of loved ones enjoying holiday festivities. Unfortunately, these comforts can come at a price if you experience a strong storm that leads to roof damage.
Your home’s roof is especially vulnerable to damage during harsh winters, and it’s important to do everything you can to stay ahead of the weather and respond to issues as swiftly as possible. Damaged roofs can affect your entire home, so it’s crucial to protect your roof before and after strong seasonal storms. Here are some tips to help prepare you for the challenges of a winter storm and how to respond when damage occurs.
Be Proactive
The first thing you can do to prevent roof damage during winter storms is to monitor the weather during the winter season. When a strong storm approaches, block out some time in advance of its arrival to prepare your roof. You’ll also want to be prepared for several consecutive days of freezing temperatures. Knowing the weather predictions ahead of time can help you identify and address areas on your roof where ice is likely to build up.
Here are a few specific tasks you can complete to prepare your roof for a winter storm:
- Make sure your roof is clear of debris before snowfall. If not, the snow will add extra weight and obscure the objects, putting stress on framing and possibly warping the structure. If possible, use a tool like a snow rake or other grabbing mechanism that will allow you to remove debris from the safety of the ground. If your roof isn’t easily accessible, call a professional to help you clear it.
- Clear any branches that may fall during a storm. Fallen branches can cause a wide range of issues, from broken shingles to a complete roof collapse.
- Make sure your attic is properly insulated. Check for any gaps and areas without proper coverage while verifying that your baffle vents aren’t obstructed if you have a vented soffit. A well-insulated roof can help distribute heat evenly throughout its surface, ensuring that snow and ice don’t build up in one specific area. Proper insulation also prevents condensation which will occur if the warm and cold air masses are allowed to meet.
- Check for any damages. You’ll want to examine your roof before the storm hits and make sure there aren’t any weak points that will make it especially vulnerable.
- Take pictures. If you need to hire a contractor to repair storm damage, an expert can help with assessing the repairs your roof needs after the storm hits.
- Check your insurance coverage. You’ll want to review your home insurance policy to determine whether it covers winter storm damages to your roof. If you don’t have an insurance policy, consider purchasing one to protect yourself from having to pay large sums of money if and when repairs are necessary.
Respond As Soon As You Can
Sometimes, you may do everything you can to protect your roof during a snow storm, but Mother Nature can still throw a nasty surprise your way to complicate matters. Even if you’re prepared, you may experience damage from a winter storm.
The first thing you should do after a winter storm is to walk around your house and assess any potential damage areas. Next, remove snow from your roof, but only if it’s safe to do so and you possess the proper tools. If you own a one-story home with a low-pitched roof, a snow rake is a great option to help you pull snow drifts off your roof. No matter how many precautions you take, you might notice a series of issues that you can’t address by yourself — that’s what the team at Summit Roofing and Restoration is here for!
When to Contact a Professional
- If your home is more than one story high and you aren’t physically able to clear snow from your roof — or if you’ve noticed damage to your roof caused by a winter storm — it’s time to call a professional. Our team of experts can help with both the cleanup and repair of your damaged roof. We can also help protect your roof against future complications.
If you need a professional consultation or repair work for your roof following a strong winter storm, contact Summit Roofing and Restoration today. We provide West Tennessee with a full range of roofing services, work with all major insurance companies, and are the only GAF Master Elite Certified Contractor in Tipton County. We’ll help you restore your roof to its full operational condition and ensure it stays protected against future winter storm threats.
Contact Our Roofing Experts for Winter Storm Damage Protection
Winter storm damage doesn’t have to ruin the season. Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc. performs preventative maintenance that can help you avoid damage to your roofing system. If unexpected damage does occur, our roofing team also provides efficient repair services to quickly restore the functionality of your roof.
To learn more about protecting your roof against winter storm damage, please call Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc. at (731) 443-2253 or contact us online. We’re the local roofing company that’s big enough to serve you but small enough to care!
