Maintaining Roofing & Siding During Storms

August 21, 2019

As stormy weather appears in the forecast, now is the perfect time to assess ways to protect your home before the winds start picking up and the rain begins pouring down. One of our Home Service Connections partners contributed advice on the best ways to prep your home and what to do should an unfortunate accident happen.

How do you prepare for a summer storm?

Jordan Phillips, president of Liberty Home Remodeling, says that the best way to prepare would be to do a quick home inspection after winter every year. “Don’t let any loose screens or trim linger during the spring and summer, as hail or high winds can further damage your home,” cautions Phillips. While there isn’t much preparation that you can do once a storm is imminent, securing the perimeter of your home will be your best bet against storms – such as tying down or packing up any furniture.

What do you do if your home gets damaged during a storm?

Should your home get damaged in some way, Phillips says to never call your insurance company first. Oftentimes, insurers will ask to have a contractor examine the damage first, so it’s best to get it inspected before notifying your insurance company. The contractor can then see if the amount of damage meets the criteria for an insurance claim and provide an estimate. Liberty Home Remodeling offers free pre-inspections and can help consumers walk through the process of insurance claims and determine the extent of the damage.

How do you maintain your roof and siding?

The most important thing is to get a regular home inspection. “Without any severe weather a home inspection is good once every four to five years,” Phillips said. A professional home inspector can check for caulking, sealants around windows and doors and look at construction issues that may not be visible to an untrained eye.

Reroofing is an option to alleviate roof damage, meaning putting new shingles on top of the existing roof, however Phillips does not recommend this practice. “To improve the longevity of your roof it’s best to do an entire roof replacement,” this will also ensure your roof will receive a full manufacturer’s warranty, which can be up to 50 years.

For siding, it’s important to thoroughly clean it with a light power-wash. Aluminum and fiber cement siding also need to be routinely painted to maintain their appearance. Vinyl siding is more low maintenance and only needs an occasional power-wash to wipe off dirt and other contaminants.

From a home inspection to a new roof, Long & Foster’s Home Service Connections partners can do it all. Check out their website to find a trusted contractor or service provider in your area.