No one will argue that your roof isn’t one of the most important parts of your home. It’s what protects you, your family, and your belongings from the elements. Depending on where you live, your roof is going to have different weather to contend with and might have to meet different standards for structural integrity and weatherproofing. The following will explore the idea of fortifying your roof.
Why Might One Fortify Their Roof?
Fortifying your roof is the process of improving the durability of your roof. You might choose to do this because the weather in your area is extreme, and you don’t feel like standard roofing shingles are doing well against the gusts of wind that rage past. You might want to do this if you’ve recently built an addition and want to ensure that the point where the new roof and the old roof join together is secure.
Clean Out The Gutters
While it might seem strange to talk about cleaning your gutters when discussing the durability of your roof, it’s not. If your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris, water can drain more quickly off of your roof. If you slow down this process, the water can gather and weigh down the roof and potentially seep into places you don’t want it to be. Remember, mold is highly toxic and will poison you slowly over time. It forms when things get wet and can’t dry out.
Brace Attic Rafters From The Inside
If you’ve noticed some sagging of the roof from within the top rooms of your home, you might want to brace the rafters to give the roof some extra support. If sagging is not addressed, the roof will eventually fail. Bracing the roof from the inside is a great intermediary step as you plan for and organize roof replacement. This can be done with two-by-fours or any wooden beams that suit your decor and aesthetic preferences. Of course, if you’re not comfortable with the bracing process yourself, you can reach out to a local contractor or construction company to help you with this process.
Prepare For Storm Season
If you live in an area where there are frequent hurricanes or other types of storms, you might want to take the time to prepare your roof. This might involve installing high-impact windows if you have skylights or windows near the roof (really if there’s going to be hurricanes, all your windows could benefit from this. You’ll also want to take down items that might get blown away or damaged, like solar panels and satellite dishes. Finally, trim any tree branches that hang near or over your roof and remove them to reduce the risk of a storm taking those branches down and damaging your roof with them.
Get A Sturdier Roof
Roof replacement is a big job, but it likely will only need to be done once in your lifetime. You might want to look into standing seam metal roofing (which, as a bonus, can be far more cost-efficient than other roofing types). Metal roofing can last up to 70 years, making it one of the most long-lasting as well.
It is worth noting that metal roofing can be installed over an existing roof without removing the shingles (if local building codes allow it). This can save you a bit of money as the tear-off process requires more labor. Of course, you’ll have to be sure that there’s no water trapped inside, and so knowledge, planning, and experience are needed. A roofing company might suggest you don’t take this route, depending on the state of your current roof.
It is also worth noting that some insurance companies will actually offer discounts or rate reductions to homeowners with metal roofing, especially in areas where wildfires or hail is common. This is because a home with metal roofing is less likely to be damaged by these things, given how durable the roofing is. Metal roofing is fireproof, rot-resistant, and impervious to insect damage from critters like termites.
Moreover, metal roofing can actually save you money on your utilities. This is because metal roofing reflects solar heat, meaning cooling costs are reduced, usually somewhere between 10 and 25%.
The above information should help you take the first few steps towards fortifying your roof. Of course, every home and climate is different, meaning you might have concerns not mentioned on this list. Reach out to experienced roofing professionals if you want to understand what can be done about your specific roof in your particular neighborhood. Depending on the temperatures and conditions, an unusual solution might be recommended.
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