With summer weather winding down and another Buffalo, NY winter around the corner, it’s important to know what to expect for your roof in case of severe weather. In order to prevent your roof from becoming a casualty to snow and high winds, you must comprise a proactive roof maintenance program. This includes examining a room when bad weather is coming and again after it has passed.
One of the first steps of a decent maintenance program is to know the history of the roof, starting at the installation. If you have complete confidence the contractor didn’t cut any corners while building your roof, you’re at a good starting place. However, it’s not always easy to tell if the contractor skimped out on things like fasteners or adhesive. By doing so, the roof will suffer more heavily in windy weather than a well-built roof will.
We live in a snowy area and this can cause serious problems for a roof. If you would like to take the extra step, you can get in touch with a professional engineer to figure out how much weight the roof can hold. By keeping an eye on the accumulation, you will know when the roof is reaching its capacity so you can clear the snow off the roof without preventing damage.
Completing a visual inspection of your roof at least twice a year is important for assessing any issues or possible damage. This will also help prevent small problems from becoming expensive and exhausting disasters.
Following a disaster, an inspection of your roof will be in order as soon as it’s safe to do so. Upon finding damage or problems, create a list of priorities. The most imminent repairs should happen first, saving smaller ones for later. Potential leaks are top priority. Check the metal flashings to make sure they haven’t come loose. This could lead to water making its way into the home or building.
Listen to the roof as you walk across it. If it is making crunching sounds, that could possibly mean the roof was lifted during the storm and is settling under your feet. If it has, it’s important to get the roof looked at to determine how to fix it.
While a storm or severe weather can be an emotionally and physically trying time, it is important to save yourself trials down the road by inspecting your roof before and after a storm. By doing so, you can protect yourself from further damage and financial burden.