How to Protect Your Roof Against Severe Weather

Severe weather in Austin is not something to take lightly. No matter the time of year, we could be in for strong winds, heavy rains, or damaging heat. And while we can go inside for shelter from the storm, our roofs cannot. They must endure the punishing weather day in and day out, 365 days a year.

To help our roofs withstand whatever comes our way, we must also give them the attention they need to continue performing their best. Here are a few things you can do to improve your roof in preparation for severe weather.

Best Ways to Strengthen Your Roof for Storms

• Look at your shingles – If you notice loose or damaged shingles, immediately repair or replace them. A few damaged shingles can easily turn into several damaged shingles, and if they are loose, they will be an easy target for strong winds.

• Check your flashing – This is the material used on the seams and joints of your roof. When flashing is damaged, water can seep in and cause problems with your insulation and elsewhere inside your home. Flashing is not meant to last forever, and it becomes especially susceptible to damage in sun-drenched areas like Central Texas. Call a professional to help reinforce any deteriorating flashing.

• Get your gutters in order – Your gutters and downspouts carry rainwater out and away from your home. If your gutters have leaks, water won’t go where it’s supposed to go, and you could end up with water damage in your home.

• Examine your yard – Protecting your roof also means making sure your yard is in good shape. Keep your trees and shrubs trimmed. If you know a big storm is on the way, tie down or put away lawn furniture and take a close look around for any other items that could easily cause roof damage or become a projectile in a storm.

Storms are unpredictable, but one thing in your control is the maintenance you do to your roof.

How to Prevent Water Damage to Your Texas Roof

Heavy or frequent rains can make it difficult for our roofs to keep up. If puddles begin to pool on your roof and can’t flow out and away from your home, it can lead to water damage on your roof, in your attic, or on your ceilings. It can also cause problems for your foundation. 

Moreover, if you have any weaknesses on your roof—whether in the flashing, shingles, or gutters—water will find and expose those weaknesses. The problem is you may not notice any warning signs until you’re already faced with a significant issue.

If you’ve started to notice bubbling on your ceiling, smell something musty, or see the obvious drip of a leak, call us at Storm Guard of SW Austin immediately for a roof inspection. It’s imperative to find and fix the leak before further damage can ensue. 

Keeping up with maintenance is also the best way to prolong the life of your roof, and it will be the cheapest option by far in terms of overall roofing costs. 

How to Combat Heat and Humidity’s Effect on Your Roof

Even the most durable and weather-resistant roofing products won’t last forever in a climate like ours here in Central Texas. The sun is powerfully unforgiving, and we’ve all seen what it can do to our gardens (and skin!). That same force beats down on our roofs, too. 

Over time, repeated exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can make shingles crack, become brittle, and cause other damage to your roof. Moreover, as the temperatures change from daytime highs to overnight lows, roofing materials expand and contract. Though hardly noticeable, this slight shifting of materials slowly wears down your once-strong roofing materials.

In Austin, heat and humidity combine to cause a double-whammy to our roofs. Too much heat or moisture can reduce the lifespan of your roof and lead to water damage if it accumulates. 

The more frequently our roofs are exposed to intense weather conditions, the more quickly they wear out if they aren’t maintained and repaired at the first signs of a problem.

One solution to battling heat and humidity is to insist on quality waterproof roofing materials. Many materials claim to be waterproof, but when they are actually put to the test, they just don’t cut the mustard compared to higher-quality products. At Storm Guard of SW Austin, we can advise you on the best roofing products for our climate and roof conditions.

It’s also essential to ensure your home is well insulated and ventilated. Insulation will help your home retain a consistent temperature and minimize moisture accumulation. Ventilation allows your home to breathe and prevents it from becoming too hot. Proper ventilation in your roof can also extend the life of your roof.

How to Keep Your Roof Leaf-Free

By many accounts, fall is one of the best times of the year in Austin. The intense heat of summer has passed, and the cooler comfort of fall begins to set in. This season of transition, though beautiful, can also bring an unexpected problem for homeowners: leaves.

When we think of leaves, we often think of big piles in our yard, perfect for the kids—and kids-at-heart—to jump in. We may not think about how they can damage our roofs.

But they can. 

If leaves sit on your roof for extended periods, they can begin to cause serious problems. 

One of the most significant problems is excess moisture under the leaves, especially if they are clumped or piled together. Even though fall is less hot and humid than summer, moisture will still accumulate on your roof. Add any rainfall to the mix, and you could see rotting near the leaves and under the shingles much more quickly. 

There are a couple of remedies for keeping leaves off your roof:

• Trim nearby tree branches regularly – This will help keep more leaves off your roof and allow more sunlight to dry up any moisture.

• Keep your roof clear – Hire a professional or climb on it carefully and safely to remove any leaf piles.

• Clean your gutters – Gutters clogged with leaves and debris will prevent them from carrying away rainwater, and you absolutely want your gutters to do their job when a storm hits.

It can be hard to imagine something so light and airy as leaves causing damage to your roof, but they can if left unattended. Stay on top of your fall yard and maintain your roof to keep it tip-top shape, especially as you head into winter. 

Contact Storm Guard of SW Austin for help with your roofing questions or to schedule a roof repair.