Roofing Updates For Better Protection In The Next Big Storm
Posted on: 21 December 2022
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If a big storm recently came through your area, you might be looking around at the roof damage and thinking about how you can make sure that's not your home in a future storm. The good news is that there is a lot you can do here. The following are some key roofing upgrades and updates that you may want to have a roofer make. Each update, if needed, will make your roof more structurally sound and durable against storm damage.
Baffled Vents
Roofs have vents to allow hot air to escape from the attic. These vents are necessary. However, a common problem with vents is water being blown up and through them during a storm. All it takes is a brief updraft and some heavy rain, and before you know it, you have water in your attic.
Roofers are more often installing a special kind of roof vent that has a baffle on the underside. This baffle is basically like a big wall that keeps water from being blown up into the vent during a harsh storm. Having your roofer replace your current vents with baffled ones will definitely increase your roof's storm resistance.
Hurricane Straps
If your roof is relatively new, then there is a good chance it was already installed with hurricane straps. But if it is older, it may not have these. It does not hurt to have a roofer check for them. Hurricane straps are basically thick pieces of metal that connect the roof to the home's frame. They hold the roof onto the home much more tightly than your standard roofing nail connections. If they are missing from any of your home's framing members, a roofer can add them, which will make your roof much less likely to lift up during a storm.
Secured Flashing
Flashing is the metal found around chimneys and vents. It's also put in any valleys your roof may have. Flashing is a common starting point for storm damage. The wind or rain can catch the flashing and pry it off the roof surface, leading to leaks. Ask your roofer to secure your flashing with extra roof cement. Or, if your flashing is showing signs of wear, they can replace it.
It's a good idea to protect your roof from storm damage. Talk to a residential roof replacement service about these three improvements, and ask which ones your home could benefit from the most.