Spring showers bring May flowers, but for Alabama spring can also bring tornadoes, hail, and severe thunderstorms. Severe weather can cause major damage to your roof, but there are ways you can prepare and protect your roof against the severe weather season. Below are four tips you can apply to reinforce your roof against damage from strong winds and hail.

Check the Flashing

Flashing is the material used on the seams or joints of your roof to prevent water from seeping in and causing damage. It is most commonly found in any angled grooves in your roof, and around the chimney, pipes, and any dormer windows or skylights. Flashing can deteriorate over time, so check for loose or exposed flashing; sections of your roof can be pulled off if a strong gust of wind gets underneath the flashing. An inspection can also be done from the inside of your attic; look for moist and moldy areas along the ceiling where the flashing would be. If a water leak is detected, call a professional roofer to reinforce or replace the flashing.

Boost Roof Stability

Gable roofs are more vulnerable in strong wind and hurricane zones, so you’ll need proper bracing and support to withstand a storm. Strong winds can pull material off of gable roofs, they can also get underneath the overhang and cause the roof to be pulled away from the walls. Roofers can improve stability by reinforcing the roof with braces and the rafters with wood beams. They can also inspect the ventilation patterns in the attic to make sure air pressure doesn’t build up during severe windstorms.

Examine the Shingles

Inspect the perimeter of your home for loose, damaged, or missing shingles. Call a roofing professional in Huntsville, AL to inspect the rest of your roof, walking on a roof is dangerous enough without the added risk of stepping on loose or broken shingles. If any parts of your roof need to be replaced, consider investing in some impact resistant materials. Impact resistant shingles are more durable against hail and wind, which can tear away or puncture regular shingles. If the entire roof needs to be replaced, consider replacing your current roof with a metal or rubberized roof. These roofs are the most weather resistant types of roofs.

Weatherproof the Yard

Put any heavy lawn furniture or decorations in storage before a big storm comes through. If you don’t have any storage options, try to tie them down as best as you can before a storm. This will help to minimize the potential for damage to your home in your immediate area.

Unstable trees and overhanging branches can be a considerable threat during a storm. Even the best impact resistant materials won’t hold up against a tree collapsing on your home. Check your yard for unstable or dead trees; and if there are large branches hanging over your roof, call a professional. Tree and branch disposal can be very dangerous, and the DIY method could lead to disastrous results.

Insurance and Claims

Contact your insurance provider to figure out what is or isn’t covered by your policy. It’s important to know what’s covered by your policy, especially if you live in an area that experiences frequent severe weather. Coverage depends on a variety of factors, like the age of your roof, location, and whether or not regular inspection and maintenance has been performed.

For claims purposes it’s important to take before and after pictures of your roof and exterior property. Update your pictures after repair and maintenance, and be sure to take photos after damage occurs. Keep documentation as well; track and keep copies of all, estimates, invoices, and bills you receive due to damage or maintenance. Keeping a record will help you get a proper settlement and guarantee a smoother claims process.

2nd2None Roofing & Construction provides assistance and help you navigate the insurance claims process. We will explain each step of the process in a way that is easy to understand. As your insurance claim representative, we can help to fill out the necessary paperwork and set up a time to meet with the adjuster.If you need to speak with an insurance claims rep, please fill out the contact form and one of our qualified staff will contact you shortly.