There's nothing worse than an unprepared home being hit by torrential rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms during storm season. Preparing your roof for storm season is imperative. In addition, you should find out if there is anything you can do to prevent your home from being damaged by severe weather.

No matter how the weather turns, professionals want to keep their customers' homes comfortable and safe. A short checklist of storm season preparation tasks has been compiled by the experts. 

Look for Shingle Damage

It is possible to inspect shingles from the ground to see if they are discolored, warped, or curled. You may notice some shingles on your lawn after a heavy storm or shingle granules around the bases of your downspouts if you take a walk around the yard. If you notice any of these signs, your roof's shingles likely need to be repaired as soon as possible.

Consider Roof Replacement

A ramshackle roof may force you to choose between dealing with any problems that arise during storm season or replacing the roof altogether. It is unwise and unsafe to allow your roof to remain in disrepair during hurricane season even though replacing it will be expensive. By investing in a roof replacement before storm season, you will ensure your roof is prepared for severe storm conditions and will provide reliable protection during storm periods for many years to come.

Inspect Your Roof’s Interior

No matter if you have a finished attic, an attic storage area, or a simple crawlspace, your home should allow you to inspect the underside of your roof. On a sunny day, examine the roof's walls, ceiling, and planes for cracks that let light into the space. If this is the case, you need to address it immediately. You could lose thousands of dollars to water damage inside your home if heavy rains cause a leak in your attic.

Check Your Gutters

Your gutter system must funnel water away from your home and into your drainage system. The gutters must be maintained and checked before storm season begins. High winds can carry debris during severe storms, and water hitting your home can carry sediments and debris as well. Keeping your gutters clear will prevent these substances from accumulating and blocking them.

Water can leak from a blocked gutter onto your home's side, eventually causing major water damage to your siding. Having too much sediment and debris in your gutters could cause some gutters to break if they are older. You can also have gutter guards to protect your gutters from leaves, twigs, and other debris.

Inspect for Wear and Tear

It is expected that an asphalt shingle roof will last 20 to 25 years under favorable conditions if it is professionally installed. There is a possibility that this life could be shortened if you live in an area with regular storm seasons. Regularly inspecting your home's roof for wear and tear is crucial, no matter what kind you have. Roofs that may need repair before storm season include missing shingles, shingle debris on the ground or in gutters, and rust around flashings and roof protrusions.

Asphalt shingle roofs should also be checked for mold or rot. There may be no problems with the shingles themselves, but if they appear sunken or distorted, or if the roof is caving inward slightly, the wood below the shingles may be rotting.

Consider Additional Water Protection

During storm season, moisture protection is one of your top concerns if you are planning on repairing, upgrading, or replacing your roof. Water barriers are found in various roofing systems, including shingles and exterior coverings, waterproof underlayment, and roof decking that is coated with a waterproof coating. When you hire a team to inspect your roof, you will be able to find out exactly what type of water barrier your roof has and what strengthening options you have.

Getting in touch with Watkins Construction and Roofing can be done by calling us at 251-299-8151. We service areas in Gulf Shores, Spanish Fort, Foley, Fairhope, Robertsdale, and Orange Beach, AL.