Tricks to Prevent Roof Damage During Hail Season in Colorado

Storm seasons come and go, but as any homeowner knows, preparing your home in advance is the best way to keep it protected from damage. The roof is the hardest working part of your home’s exterior, as it experiences strain from wind, rain, hail, heat, and other natural elements. Denver is known for cold and dry winters, is always partly cloudy, and experiences frequent severe thunderstorms that often produce hail. You can’t prevent Denver weather, but you can keep your roof protected against damaging wind, rain, and hail.

Check your attic.

Do a walk-through of your attic before hail season starts and take a look at the ventilation, as well as any loose or questionable areas. Keep an eye out for signs of previous water, such as water stains, damp wood, mold, or peeling paint. You may want to consider installing a secondary water barrier to lower the risk of water seeping into the attic and other areas of your home.

Maintain your gutters.

Clogged and overflowing gutters not only look bad, but they can lead to serious water problems. Heavy rains need somewhere to go, but when gutters are clogged, the rain ends up pooling on the roof. That pooled water can easily find a way into other areas of your home, especially if your home has a flat roof. Make a point to clean your gutters before storm season to prevent heavy rainwater from backing up.

Secure loose tiles and shingles.

These could become hazardous in strong winds. Tiles or shingles that get ripped off in a storm could create an entry point for damaging rainwater to enter your home. Modern tiles made of asphalt can withstand winds of up to 150 mph and are secured with six nails. Older style shingles aren’t as durable as they can only withstand winds of up to 60 mph and are secured with four nails. Secure any that are loose with caulk, roof adhesive, screws, or nails to protect your home from unwanted water.

Keep trees trimmed.

Trees and landscapes add curb appeal to your home, but in a region that experiences severe thunderstorms, this could be a potential debris hazard. Trim back any trees on your property and remove dead branches or limbs before hurricane season arrives. Old or damaged trees could be ripped up during a storm and fall on your roof, causing severe damage.

Tidy up your yard and secure any loose items that could get swept up in strong winds. The fewer debris hazards on your property, the safer you and your home will be.

Replace the roof.

Roofs take a lot of wear and tear, and even with routine maintenance, a roof will need to be replaced eventually. Depending on the age of your home and how many storms it has weathered, it could be more economical to replace your roof entirely. Rust spots, loose anchoring, cracked or worn pipes, exposed nails, and other signs of wear are a good indicator that a new roof is the way to go.

The best way to prevent roof damage from storms is to consult with a premier roofing company. Metro City Roofing is one of the premier Denver CO roofing companies that delivers outstanding customer service and no-fuss professional roofing services for residential customers and commercial buildings. Their professional roofing contractors are experts in restoring, repairing, and replacing roofs with quality products and materials. Metro City Roofing is a full service, licensed, and insured roofing contractor affiliated with the Better Business Bureau, making it the right roofing contractor choice in the Denver metro area.

Keep your roof protected this season from damage with these simple tricks.