Protect Your Roof from Seasonal Storms

Protect Your Roof from Seasonal Storms

(ARA) - It's officially storm season and, depending on the region in which you live, hurricanes, tornadoes, high winds and hail can cause tremendous damage to your home.

Hurricane season began earlier than expected in May with the first storm of the season, subtropical storm Andrea. At three weeks before the start of hurricane season, Andrea was perhaps a harbinger of the "very active" season predicted by the National Hurricane Center. This prediction is alarming, as the average personal claim due to hurricane loss has ranged from $3,000 to $13,000 over the past five years.

Summer storms also often bring hail, and the National Weather service reports that yearly hail damages total approximately $1 billion. Furthermore, according to a study by A.M. Best, 2006 storm damages, tornadoes and weather-related events caused more than $8 billion in insured losses. Additionally, the 2007 tornado season has been one of the worst in nearly a decade. Given the potential destruction that storms can bring, choosing tough, long-lasting roofing materials provides homeowners the best chance to weather such storms unscathed.

If you are building a home, work with your builder to choose the best roofing materials for your region. Do your homework regarding roofing options, then share questions, concerns and ideas with your builder. New construction presents homeowners with an opportunity to choose roofing that both complements the home's design and offers durability.

For roof replacement projects, consult a roofing contractor, who will be the most qualified expert to help you decide what material is best. Re-roofing is a perfect time for an upgrade to high-performance shingles that are more long-lasting than your existing roof.

Although no roofing product can guarantee damage will not occur in the event of tornadoes, hurricanes or other extreme weather, high-performance building materials offer the ultimate in protection by providing durability, long-lasting beauty, extended warranties, and wind and fire resistance. As homeowners learn more about them, the demand for high-performance materials is growing.

According to a recent homeowner survey conducted by Synovate, a national research firm, for TAMKO Building Products, 80 percent of homeowners prefer durable, low-maintenance roofing products with warranties of up to 50 years. Also, more than 85 percent want roofing that offers greater wind, impact and fire resistance. No matter the condition of your existing roof, exploring high-performance roofing options should be top-of-mind when preparing for stormy weather.

There are several options in high-performance roofing materials, primarily asphalt and composite. A traditional choice for roofs, asphalt shingles are relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain and repair, and are available in a variety of styles, cuts and colors. Composite roofing is growing in popularity because of its combined design and durability features. Shingles made from composite materials are typically designed to look like real wood shake, slate or tile roofing.

Roofing manufacturers have responded to homeowners' wants for good looking, high-performance materials. TAMKO, for example, offers asphalt and composite shingles with high-performance attributes, including UL Class A fire resistance, Class 4 impact resistance and a 50-year limited warranty.

If you're not considering a roof replacement this year, roof care should still be on your radar as lack of maintenance is another primary, yet non weather-related, reason for roof repair or replacement. Be proactive, and evaluate and clean your roof on a quarterly basis. Inspect for shingle damage, loose shingles, debris and rust. If you're unsure about how to thoroughly conduct a roof check-up or cleaning, consult a roofing professional.

Weather-related wind and water damage, as well as fire, are consistently the top causes of property damage. To help minimize damage to your home during potentially destructive storm seasons, make sure your home's primary level of protection -- your roof -- is in the best condition possible.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

SIDEBAR

According to RoofHelp.com, winds of even 50 to 75 mph can severely damage a roof.