Roof Repair

The warm and often fun days of summer are upon us, but unfortunately, the welcome warmth that comes with June, July and August may also bring moments of severe weather that can cause damage to your home or property. Your home’s roof often takes the brunt of severe weather. Even the sun’s UV rays beating down day after day can cause shingles to become degraded over time. More serious roof damage can result from the pelting of heavy rain, wind, or hail. If you are in an area that encounters tornadoes or hurricanes, the damage can even be catastrophic. Although the summer season’s weather can really wreak havoc on your roof and gutters, being prepared for those times when the weather is less than ideal can go a long way to keeping our homes and families safe.

Taking Steps To Prepare For A Storm

While we can’t always predict or control the weather, we can take some steps to make sure our home’s roof and gutter systems are in condition and ready for what is to come. Proactive maintenance and preparedness can help prevent, or at least minimize, damage to your roof from what storm season dishes out.

Here are a few tips to get your home’s roof and gutters ready for the stormy weather that is likely to come:

  • Have a professional roofing company on your “go-to-list”. Waiting until the storm hits to look for a roofing contractor you can trust is too late. Start now and find a company in your area that can make sure your home’s roof is in the best condition and can also help in the event of any weather-related damage. When a storm does arrive, don’t be tempted by “storm chasers” who ring the doorbell looking for roofing work and a quick buck. You’ll want to make sure you are using a qualified, experienced, and reputable team to work on your home’s roof.
  • Start with a professional inspection. Long before any skies darken, ask your trusted roofing contractor to conduct a thorough inspection to make sure your home’s roof is in top-notch condition and ready to keep your home protected when stormy weather does arrive. They’ll be looking for some of the items on our Roof Damage Checklist and making recommendations for replacement or repairs where necessary.
  • Make sure gutters and downspouts are clean and functional. When your roofing contractor does the inspection, they will also be looking at your home’s gutter system to make sure it is working properly and in good condition. Any signs of the gutter pulling away from the home’s structure, clogged or displaced downspouts, holes, cracks or extensive rust will be among the issues they are looking for. Our Gutter Damage Checklist offers details about things that may require attention.
  • Have trees trimmed back away from your home’s roof. When trees become overgrown and hang near or on top of your roof, they can do a lot of damage simply by the repeated scraping back and forth that happens with a gentle breeze. When the weather is severe, that damage can be even more extensive. Keeping trees trimmed back and away from your home also helps keep algae or moss growth at bay (especially if you live in a warm, moist climate) and even eliminates easy access pests like insects or rodents who may be looking for a place (like your roof) to nest. One final note about trees: you should also periodically have any large or old trees inspected for weakness or disease. When high winds arrive, weakened trees may fall and become a serious hazard.
  • Have debris that may have collected on your roof removed. While your professional roofing partner inspects your roof, they will let you know if there is any debris such as limbs or leaves that may have collected there. Removing this debris is really important to keeping your shingles and the decking underneath from being damaged by the moisture that is trapped there.
  • Familiarize yourself with your insurance coverage.  If you needed to locate your homeowner insurance agent or existing roofing warranties quickly, could you find them? Make sure you take the time to locate and understand your existing coverage details and any roof warranties handy so when you need them, that is one less thing to worry about. It is also a good idea to make sure you have the number for your agent and the associated claims department programmed in your phone and at the ready. After contacting your agent, the next call should be to your trusted roofing contractor to assess damage and get you on the schedule for repairs.

Choose a Trusted NJ Roofing Contractor

Your roof is an important investment that keeps your home protected when the unexpected comes. Developing a relationship with the right contractor helps ensure responsive service when you need it. Homeowners in Warren County and the surrounding areas have trusted Warren Thompson & Son Roofing & Siding for roof replacement, repair, and renewal for over 47 years. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our residential roofing experts.

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