Ways To Prepare Your Home For Hurricane Season

Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

According to the National Hurricane Center, hurricane season for those of us on the East Coast began on June 1 and will run through November 30. That means it's officially time to begin preparing your home and collecting all of the necessary items you need to be ready in the event that a severe storm rolls in.

Although Connecticut isn't notorious for experiencing hurricanes the way they do in states such as Florida, for example, it's still equally as important for all of us to take proactive measures to prepare just in case. To help you out, we've collected a few tips that will certainly come in handy for your home:

Secure the roof: The last thing you want during a major rain storm is for your roof to come crumbling down or blow away. While we don't literally mean that the roof will be swept up by the wind in its entirety, it is possible that shingles will come loose and blow off during periods of high wind. Therefore, using hurricane straps, it's a good idea to secure the roof to the frame of your home.

Trim the trees: While it's nice to see the trees in full bloom during the summer season, you definitely don't need them to be blooming directly above your house. When trees are hanging too low, your roof and the rest of your home are ultimately in danger since they could fall at any moment if the storm picks up. To better protect your home, we encourage you to spend some time trimming your trees - did you know that doing so can also help them resist the wind better?

Clean the gutters: If your gutters and downspouts are clogged, your home could be in jeopardy once the rain starts to fall - where will it all go? To ensure that excess rain water is carried away from the home and not towards the foundation where it could seep into your basement, it's important to have gutters that are completely clean and free of debris. While it isn't too hot out yet, now is the perfect time to take a trip up to your roof and clear out any remaining leaves and sticks from the winter season.

For more hurricane preparedness tips, please click here.

At Phil's Main Roofing, we understand how important it is to prepare your home (and especially your roof) for a number of weather conditions. If you're unsure about the proper precautions that should be taken, or if you have some outstanding roof damage that you need taken care of to make sure that your roof is strong enough to withstand a storm, please give us a call at (203) 838-4545.

How to Prepare Your Roof for a Storm

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

From late spring through summer, it's not unusual to experience thunderstorms in your area. In fact, for some regions, these seasons bring some of the most severe thunderstorms, including hail, wind and flooding. Whether your area is prone to intense storms or not, you're going to experience some kind of severe weather conditions at some point, so it's better to be prepared at all times. When it comes to storm damage, although you can't prevent everything, by taking a few precautions you can help reduce the amount of damage that occurs. The following is a list of ways you can prepare your home for spring and summer storms:

1. Material: Know what kind of roofing you have ahead of time. Some materials are more resistant to hail and heavy winds then others, so discuss this with your contractor in advance if your area is known for experiencing severe storms.

2. Security: Routinely check your roof to see if there are any curled, loose, or missing shingles or tiles. Intense storms can often dislodge the materials, so make an effort to see how your roof is holding up, especially right before and after a storm. Make sure to repair or replace any damaged tiles as soon as possible.

3. Foliage: One of the most common, and often most dangerous, types of damage comes from falling trees and branches. If you notice any dead or hanging branches or limbs near your roof, have them removed quickly.

4. Siding: In addition to your roof, always check that your siding is in place before a storm. Loose, cracked, or broken siding can easily been torn off by heavy winds, leaving gaps in your homes exterior design.

5. Caulking/Weather Stripping: Inspect the exterior of your home to make sure that there are no spaces between windows or where your roof and siding meet. Any gaps or cracked caulking allow wind or rain to enter the home, so seal any areas that seem weak before a storm.

6. Gutters: Since heavy rain can cause flooding, it's important to make sure that your home's drainage system is working properly. Any excess leaves or branches can clog your gutters, impeding their ability to do their job. In addition to clogging, too much excess material can actually weigh down your gutters, causing them to break or collapse.

 At Phil's Main Roofing, we understand the importance of being prepared before a storm. That's why we offer repair and preventive maintenance programs that can help prepare your home or building for any storm. In addition to these programs, we are also available to inspect for storm, wind, or hail damage, and our experienced team of roofers can assist you with any repairs that may be necessary. For more information, contact us at 203-838-4545 today!