Storm season is coming upon us in Indiana. Here are 4 Ways to Help Prevent Storm Damage:
Keeping Trees & Shrubs Trimmed Up: When there is a storm with high winds, it can cause trees, bushes, and branches to be very damaging to your home. Falling limbs from trees can be damaging however even small branches can cause wear on a roof in light breezes.
Inspect Roof Periodically: A brand new roof should withstand most severe weather, but if your roof is 5-10 years old or older, it should be checked for loose shingles, nails, and sheathing. Not only can shingles blow off in a storm, but loose nails and sheathing can cause chunks of roofing to be dislodged or create openings for rain and ice to penetrate. If an inspection does turn up any possible leaks, getting them fixed right away will protect your home from damage in severe weather. Roofs that are over 15 years old risk of sudden deterioration or failure in storm situations even if no problems are apparent.
Install Gutters & Keep them Maintained: Gutters are supposed to channel water away from the roof and deposit it to a more friendly location to protect a house and property from water damage and soil erosion. However, clogged gutters on the upper floors can cause water to backflow into the home, almost guaranteeing water damage will happen. Gutters must be cleaned and well maintained to prevent costly repairs.
Ensure Sealants Are Properly Maintained: Leaking sealants is one of the leading causes of water damage from storms. Nothing causes more damages from storms than leaking sealants. Check all roofing penetrations such as stacks, skylights, and chimneys for decaying sealants and make the repairs as needed. But it’s not just the roof that can leak from bad seals-your windows, doors, and siding can leak when aging sealants are in place. Caulk, tar or silicone to prevent storm damages to your home.
