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NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — Your home’s first line of defense against severe weather is the roof.
According to a news release, June 4-10 is National Roofing Week, and it’s the perfect time to make sure that your roof is ready to tackle the next storm.
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Severe weather is anything ranging from tornados, hail, and thunderstorms.
Dr. Ian Giammanco, a lead meteorologist with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), wants to share nine tips to extend the life of your roof for the next weather event.
- Inspect and Repair Damage
- Look for shingles that are loose, cracked, broken, missing, buckling, curling, blistering, or worn down.
- Check wood for rot or insect infestation.
- Check metal roofs for rust.
- Consider Good or Excellent Impact-Rated Shingles
- Shingles are critical to protecting homes against hail.
- High-performing shingles meet the UL Class 4 impact-rated standard which may qualify you for an insurance discount.
- Trim Trees
- Remove any branches that overhang a roof, as this will prevent damage from rubbing or falling, and limits leaves clogging the gutters.
- Make Sure Gutters are Secure
- Repair any gutters that are loose or ready to fall.
- Remove Debris from the Roof
- Remove dirt, loose objects, branches, and plant material.
- You could consider having a professional come to take care of this.
- Look and Repair Loose or Missing Flashing
- Address any loose or missing pieces of flashing. Loose or ill-fitted flashing can cause roof cover failure and water intrusion.
- Make sure to inspect this before and after storms.
- Inspect and Repair Leaks
- Look for these signs:
- Leaks in the attic
- Water stains on roof decking (chimneys, vents, pipes, valleys)
- Discolored roofing deck, rafters, or trusses
- Water stains on the ceiling
- Cracked wall or ceiling paint
- Peeling wallpaper
- Look for these signs:
- Inspect and Seal Roof Penetrations
- Look around chimneys, pipes, skylights, exhaust fans, vents, and air conditioning units for gaps or missing sealant.
- Inspect and Repair Vents
- Make sure vents are secure and nails are properly attached.
