Spring Cleaning

Spring time in Texas can bring a host of weather events. We’ve seen heat, we’ve seen snow, we’ve seen rain, hail, and wind. As the old saying goes, “if you’re over this Texas weather, wait 5 minutes.”

The issue with the five-minute theory is you never know what kind of weather Texas has up her sleeve, so it’s best to take measures to protect your roof from simple things which you can control.

With ever-changing weather, your roof can be taking a beating from various elements. Not even brand-new roofs are completely safe guarded from a major hail storm and strong winds.

With that in mind, what are some preventative measures homeowners can take to protect their roof and prevent further damage to their home?

First, we advise you familiarize yourself with your insurance policy to understand if the areas of concern on your property are covered by your insurance policy. This may mean reaching out to your current insurance agent.

Evaluate Tree Coverage

Tree coverage can be beneficial to your home when it comes to hail storms. Full leaves and branches can lessen the blow and even completely block hail impacts to your roof. The downside of trees is that they can also damage your roof if not properly maintained.

• Dead Branches can fall, especially during heavy winds, and penetrate your roof leaving it vulnerable to leaking.
• Low-Hanging Branches and Overgrowth can continually brush against your shingles, causing what is referred to as “tree rubs.” This damage might be categorized as a maintenance issue, as it is something that typically occurs over a pro-longed period and therefore is not considered sudden or accidental.
• Tree Debris such as leaves can accumulate in your valleys and prevent proper water shedding. Standing water can seep into your home through clogged valleys.
• It is important to also note that accumulated tree debris in your gutters can also have an impact on your home. Obstructed Gutters can divert the flow of water and cause standing water to seep into the foundation of your home, as well as infiltrate your siding.
  

Evaluate shingles

We understand that you may not be an expert in the identification of roof damage, hey that’s ok, that’s why you have chosen Hammer Down Roofing! But there are a few obvious signs you can look for to help you prevent further damage to your home.

• Missing Shingles are the most obvious sign of roofing damage that even the layperson can identify. Following a strong wind storm, it is not uncommon for shingles to get ripped from your home. Missing shingles can be a major source of water intrusion to your home.
• Shingle Slippage refers to shingles that are loosened and have “slipped” from their original location. This is typically a result of poor installation, overdriven or misplaced nails, and not usually related to a storm event. However, it is an issue that must be addressed immediately to prevent interior water damage to your home.
• Creased Shingles can occur when a wind storm has caused the shingle to repeatedly flap. This causes dark, horizontal lines across the shingle. Repeated creasing can eventually lead to the shingle ripping from the roof.
  • This should not be confused with Thermal Cracking or Thermal Splitting a phenomenon in which roof shingles split and crack with temperature-related expansion and contraction. This is caused by long-term exposure and is usually considered normal wear and tear.
• Odd Shingle Marking can indicate a host of issues, hail being a top priority. Wind driven debris can also smack the roof during a heavy wind storm and cause damage to your roof.
  • It is important to note that there can be other “odd markings” on your shingles that are not weather related such as manufacturer defects, foot falls, and blistering. Many of these are often misidentified as storm damage to the untrained eye, so it is imperative to reach out to a roofing expert and hey, we happen to know a gal.
    

Unless you have a rooftop swimming pool (kudos to you), you should never have standing water on your roof. If you see puddles on your roof, please call us immediately!

• Dead Valleys are areas on your roof that accumulate water but do not control the flow of it, allowing it to pool. This is typically an installation issue that occurred at the time the home was constructed and is rarely considered sudden or accidental. Remember, pooling water must go somewhere, so if it cannot run down, then it may seep in.
• Roof Sagging is another opportunity to create an unwanted bird bath on your roof. Hey, the birds might be happy, but your attic will not. Roof sagging can be a result of many things: long-term rotting, poor or old materials, or even inadequate roof ventilation. Regardless of the cause of roof sagging, the added weight of standing water does it absolutely zero favors.
• Flat Roofs and Low Slope Roofing/Low Pitch Roofs like what you may have over your porch or patio can accumulate water as well as they have a minimal slope to shed water.

If you notice any of the above situations occurring to your dwelling roof, please reach out to Hammer Down Roofing and schedule your FREE roof inspection ASAP!

Regardless of insurance coverage, your home is your safe space and must be properly maintained to ensure longevity and peace of mind.