If a big storm is heading your way, prepping your gutters and roof can save you from a lot of extra damage. Your roof and gutters take a lot of stress in a storm. Fixing them ahead of time will save you money in the long run.
The gutter cleaning and roof prep tips we’ve lined up here are basic essentials. Water and wind can get into even the smallest areas. These tips show you what to look for.
Make sure you’re ready! We want your roof and gutters to hold up when the storm hits.
Gutter Cleaning Tips to Prepare for a Storm
Check out the following five gutter cleaning tips to make sure you’re ready for the next storm headed your way.
1. Remove Debris
Make sure you clean out anything that has accumulated in your gutters. You’d be surprised what can get in them, especially if you don’t have leaf guards on your gutters. Look for leaves, dirt, twigs, and small branches.
Cleaning out debris from your gutters will allow the water to flow correctly along the gutters and into the downspouts. This will remove excess water from the roof and away from the house with the most efficiency. In a storm, getting the water away from the house helps avoid flooding.
2. Check for Leaks
Do a walk-around for your gutters. Look for anywhere you might have a leak. If you can, climb on a ladder and pour a small bucket of water at the highest point of each gutter to see if you have leaks.
The reason to check for leaks and fix them is that you want the water to go down the downspout. If water is leaking from other areas, it can put stress on the gutter at that point. You might also get water leaking through directly towards the foundation.
3. Get Rid of Clogs in Downspouts
Just as with cleaning out your gutters, you should clean your downspouts. Blocks caused by leaves and twigs will mean the water has nowhere to go once it gets in the downspout.
Blockages in the downspout will cause the gutter to overflow its sides. All the water from the roof will spill over the edge of the gutter. This can lead to flooding.
4. Check for Structural Damage
Make sure your gutters are securely attached to the wall and to the soffits. You don’t want your gutters coming loose and blowing away in a storm. Flying metal can cause a lot of damage.
Also, look for any spots where the gutter may have been dented. Check that drainage spouts at the bottom of the downspouts are still connected and will direct the water far enough away from the house.
5. Schedule a Professional Cleaning
Some parts of your gutter system can be hard to get to. One of the best gutter cleaning tips we can give you is to let a professional do the hard work for you. A professional gutter cleaning will leave you confident that your gutters can handle the storm coming your way.
Preparing Your Roof for a Storm
These five tips will make sure your roof us ready for the next storm.
1. Inspect Your Roof
The first thing you need to do when prepping your roof for a storm is to inspect it. If you feel confident enough climbing a ladder and checking things out yourself, get up there and take a closer look. Alternatively, hire in a roof inspection professional to take a closer look.
An annual inspection is best if you live in a hurricane area or if you have recently been through another big storm. You might not be able to see damage from the ground, but because water and wind can find their way into the smallest damaged areas, you’ll be surprised what you might find with a close-up look.
2. Fix Shingles or Tiles
One of the things you’re most likely to find in that roof inspection is damaged tiles or shingles. It is crucial that you fix these issues. In a high-wind storm, the wind can easily rip off a damaged tile or shingle that might cause more damage to your house.
In a heavy rainstorm, water will find its way into the roof through any damaged tile or shingle. Make sure you at least patch the damaged area prior to a storm if you don’t have time for a full fix.
3. Check the Soffits and Fascias
Soffits and fascias are parts of the roof that are often damaged in storms. You can usually see these areas from the ground. So, take an inspection tour to look for areas that might need fixing before a storm rolls in.
Look for rooting wood or obviously loose materials. Fixing these areas prior to a storm will help minimize the potential for serious damage to your roof. The soffits and fascias are at the bottom of the roof, so if they rip off, they can pull a lot of shingles or tiles with them.
4. Trim Trees
If you have trees close to your roof, take the time to trim back any branches that are getting close. In a heavy wind, trees will bend far more than you think. You don’t want the branches rubbing against your roof during the storm.
Tree trimming will also reduce the chance of big branches falling on your roof. If you see previously damaged branches, take them off. If you’re not sure which branches to cut, call in a tree surgeon to get things done professionally.
5. Schedule a Professional Cleaning
Inspecting the roof once a year is smart, and so is scheduling a professional annual roof cleaning. Making sure that moss, dirt, and other stuff is removed from the roof will help keep it in top condition for longer.
Professional cleaning of your roof will extend the life of your shingles and make sure they can withstand heavy rain and wind during any storm that comes your way.
Make Sure You’re Gutters and Roof Are Ready for a Storm
These roof and gutter cleaning tips will help prepare you for the next storm. Your roof and gutters need to function well in a big rain and windstorm. If they don’t, you could end up with serious damage to your house.
The more you can do to prep for a storm the better. We want to help you be prepared. Our soft roof wash and gutter cleaning services are designed to help you get through the storm.
To talk to a roof and gutter cleaning expert about how we can help, schedule a call today. We can’t wait to assist you.