Posted by Bealing Roofing Comments Off on Tips to Prepare Your Home for Storms Uncategorized

As the hot summer heat continues to dominate the weather pattern, we face the near-daily potential for severe weather. With the risk elevated, it’s always a good idea to make sure you are prepared for the worst Mother Nature can bring. Here are six ways to make sure your home is ready when storms or heavy rains are in the forecast.

1. Clean gutters and downspouts

As time goes by, your gutters and downspouts can become clogged with leaves and debris and grit from your shingles. Clogged gutters and downspouts prevent stormwater from being directed away from your home. Instead, water will overflow your gutters, potentially causing damage to your walls as well as foundations. If your house is beneath trees, it’s a good idea to clear gutters early. 

2. Inspect your roof

The roof of your home is the surest point of water entry. During a heavy downpour, you will quickly discover if you have a problem as evidenced by water leaking inside your home. You will want to check for broken or missing shingles as well as failing sealant and flashing around chimneys, pipes, and skylights. If you are not comfortable climbing up onto your roof, call your local roofing company to check out things for you.

3. Repair gutters and downspouts

Inspect your guttering, looking for loose, sagging, or leaking gutters. Seal up any leaks you may find with caulking. Refasten the guttering, so it is hanging against the facia correctly to promote proper rain runoff. 

4. Inspect your siding

Once a year, it’s a good idea to walk around your home, paying close attention to your siding. Check for cracks and small holes that could be entry points for water. This is also an ideal time to see if your siding is experiencing warps or bubbles due to age.

5. Weatherstrip windows

Check the weather stripping and caulking around your windows to ensure they are in optimal condition. If they need to be replaced, be sure to do so. Scrape off and replace old caulking that is shrinking away from the area it is supposed to seal. 

6. Check your sump pump

Those prone to a wet basement know just how important a reliable sump pump can be. There is nothing worse than a flooded basement. The damage that can be caused to finished basements can be particularly upsetting.

6. Consider investing in a generator

In the event of a power failure, a generator can be a huge asset, particularly during extended power outages. Portable emergency generators are available in a wide variety of sizes and can be sufficient for temporary use. If you want reliability, a whole-house standby generator is the ultimate answer. 

Following these six tips will help ensure that after the next storm blows through, your headaches will be minimal. Need some help inspecting your roof, guttering, or siding? Give us a call at Bealing Roofing & Exteriors, Inc.