There’s something infiltrating your home this storm season. It’s invisible, scentless, and holds more capability than you might think to damage your roof. This article is here to remind you not to underestimate windstorms, and encourage you to take steps on your own or with Atlanta roofing contractors to protect your home from the unexpected.
Projectiles
That’s right, your home might be under fire soon, but not from any kind of physical assailant. If you live in an area where strong storms are common, this might be something you’re familiar with. If not, dealing with projectiles is definitely something you should consider. One freak storm with unusually strong winds can devastate a home unprepared for them.
Projectiles are objects picked up by strong winds and thrown with such force that they can damage structures. These things include lawn ornaments, rocks, tree branches, and more. If you live in an area where strong winds are the yearly norm, reinforcements to your roof are a must. For those of us who live in an area with more average weather, there are some easy ways to deal with projectiles.
Eliminate the wind’s opportunity to throw things at your home! This might sound simple up front, but in truth many of these things can be easy to miss. Everyday objects that sit outside our homes everyday can become dangerous in the blink of an eye during a strong enough storm.
If you know an unusually strong windstorm is coming, make sure any loose gravel is covered and weighed down with a large, heavy object. Have children put away outdoor toys. Most importantly, keep an eye on the trees in your yard. Have weak or overhanging branches trimmed often. In a harsh enough storm, one overlooked branch can mean the difference between a pristine roof and a compromised one.
Lifted Shingles: An Invitation For Disaster
Another subversive way wind can damage your roof, and subsequently the rest of your home, is in the unseen complications that follow a storm. It’s not uncommon for shingles to be disturbed by strong winds. This is especially true in areas where storms like this are unusual, and shingles unresistant to harsh weather are secured with less nails.
It’s a fallacy to assume that, just because all of your shingles survived the storm, your roof is perfectly protected. Take a closer look at them. Were any of the shingles shifted or bent during the storm? If so, replacing that shingle immediately will make all the difference for your roof.
A small gap in the shingles of your roof is enough to let in precipitation and moisture. If you get water inside your roof, the probability of the entire roof being compromised skyrockets. Moisture beneath shingles will not only run down the path of least resistance, potentially into your home, but will also freeze and thaw over Winter, damaging more shingles.
While the risk of that water ever getting inside your house varies wildly from home to home, based on a plethora of other factors in your roof installation, the fix is so simple. Get up there, or have a professional get up there, and replace the lifted shingle.
Remember these simple preventions and solutions to deal with wind damage, and your roof will thank you:
- Trim weak or overhanging branches regularly
- Secure or put away anything that could become a projectile during a storm
- Replace lifted or damaged shingles immediately