PROTECTING YOUR HOME AGAINST SUMMER STORM

7/5/2022 (Permalink)

Summer is finally here, and along with it comes a different kind of inclement weather.

Summer is finally here, and along with it comes a different kind of inclement weather: thunderstorms and worse, tornadoes. Because our Illinois climate is conducive to severe summer weather, it’s important that you properly prepare your home each summer season to help mitigate storm-related damage.

At SERVPRO of Kendall County, we know storm damage repairs and water damage restoration aren’t necessarily at the top of any homeowner’s wishlist. So help you get prepared this summer season, below, we’ve listed the steps you’ll need to take to protect your home.

Trim Your Trees

Do you have large trees in your yard? Do any branches extend over the roof of your home — or anywhere near it? If so, it’s important to trim back those branches each year, preferably before summer storm season hits.

Heavy winds can force branches to break free from large trees, and when those branches fall, they can land on your roof, damage your siding, and potentially, puncture your home. You’ll then be left to deal with glaring damage to the outside of your home, and potentially, extensive damage to the inside, too. Because rainwater will easily enter through a gaping hole in your roof or siding, you’ll likely also be facing water damage restoration if you fail to maintain your trees properly.

Clean and Inspect Your Gutters

When your gutters are damaged or full of debris, water cannot flow through the channels as efficiently as it should. And when summer storms bring heavy rainfall, clogged and damaged gutters can’t handle rapid water accumulation.

As pouring rain fills clogged gutters to the brim, water eventually begins to spill over the sides of the gutter, landing adjacent to your home’s foundation. Unfortunately, water accumulation around your foundation can cause a host of problems, including:

-       Basement or crawlspace flooding

-       Mold and mildew growth

-       Foundation shifting, if the water exposure is prolonged

-       Compromised structural integrity

To avoid water accumulation around your home’s foundation, make sure you inspect and clean your gutters at least twice per year, and more frequently during extended periods of inclement weather. Water damage restoration is an extensive process, but it can often be avoided simply by practicing routine maintenance. 

Get a Roof Inspection

Even if you had a roof inspection last year, schedule another one before summer storms make their appearance. Your roof provides a critical layer of protection against the outside elements, and even minor damage can compromise its structural integrity.

Because harsh winter weather, snow accumulation, and ice dams can cause unseen damage to your roof, it’s important to schedule annual roof inspections even if you cannot readily detect deterioration or damage. A professional roof inspector knows exactly what to look for in terms of roofing red flags, which include:

-        Damage to roof flashings, which can allow water to leak inside your attic

-        Wood rot or warping due to moisture accumulation beneath the shingles

-        Missing, cracked, curled, or otherwise damaged shingles

-        Mold and mildew proliferation, which signify water damage and compromised structural integrity

Because your roof plays such an integral role in the protection of your entire home, having yearly inspections is one of the best ways to avoid weather-related problems and storm damage repairs.