With the monsoons set to begin from mid-June to September, it’s best for your house to be in the best shape possible as the season starts creeping in. It usually comes with an increase in air humidity and leads to heavy rains, hail, lightning, strong winds, and extreme heat. In other words, summer thunderstorms.
You can prep your roof by inspecting it to ensure that the structure is solid enough to withstand storms. Then, seeing as the weather is out of your control, you can take extra precautions around the house like clearing debris, gutters and closing windows to help control possible damage from the storms.
However, this is easier said than done. What should you inspect? What counts as debris? Are there any blind spots that the storm can exploit? Let’s take an in-depth look at what you should be on the lookout for as you prepare for the monsoons.
1. Inspect the Interior of Your Roof
Most, if not all, homes have an opening that allows owners to inspect the roof from the inside of the house. Start by climbing up into that space on a bright, sunny day and checking whether you can see any shafts of light entering through cracks or chinks in the roof. Also, be on the lookout for signs of water leakage.
To take the inspection further, you can climb up onto the roof or get a pair of binoculars to inspect its exterior. You’ll want to look for curled, missing, or damaged shingles and plant matter like moss or algae. The plant matter retains moisture which could then cause the wood structure under the roof to start decaying.
If you notice any problems, call a professional to resolve them as soon as possible since roof damage can cost up to thousands of dollars in repair if you let the storms aggravate the situation.
2. Ensure Every Opening is Secure
We’re talking doors, windows, skylights, and all openings that lead into the house. You’ll want to keep them shut tight during a storm. You can board up your windows using plywood as an extra step to prevent any storm debris from breaking them.
This is important for one reason- air pressure. If any opening is left to let air waft in, the air pressure inside your home will shoot up. It can put a lot of duress on your roof from the inside and push it upward, leading to a decrease in its stability.
3. Clean Your Gutters
A clogged gutter is bad on any day and even worse during a storm. A clog can cause water to fill up and increase the chances of water damage on the roof. The worst-case scenario is where the materials clogging the gutter cause it to break away from the house after it fills up with water.
Make a point of cleaning out your gutters and downspouts as early as now. Also, repair damaged ones to prevent leaking. If your home has no gutters, you could enlist the services of a professional to help pinpoint the areas that need them most so that the structure of your home stays intact.
4. Trim Branches and Pick up Debris
Strong winds have a knack for causing tree branches to snap off, and the last thing anyone wants is a 7-foot long dent in their roof. And while you can’t do much about tree branches flying from your neighbor’s place to yours, you can trim your own trees to keep their branches far from your roof.
Pick up all the trimmed material plus all other big sticks and rocks that the winds can pick up easily. Remember to do this regularly because debris usually accumulates with time.
5. Work With Trusted Roofing Professionals
Having the right people handle all of your roof’s needs will set you up for success. We have years of experience in roofing that can help you get ready for the coming monsoons with confidence.
You can get a free consultation today by contacting us to help you make informed choices that’ll help boost the durability of your roof.
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