Roofing
How to Spot Roof Wear Before Spring Storms – My Easy Guide
Apr
I’m sharing this with you because learning how to spot roof wear before spring storms saved me stress. Hey, friend! Let me take you back to last spring when a wild storm hit my Texas home, a gust ripped a shingle off, and water started dripping into my kitchen before I could grab a bucket!
My dog barked at the mess, my kids ran around with towels, and I felt so lost until I figured out how to check my roof ahead of time.
I’m sharing this with you because it saved me stress, a soggy carpet, and a hefty bill, and I think it can help you too, whether you’re prepping for rain in Oregon, wind in Kansas, or even hail in Nebraska.
Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step I’ve learned, with a few laughs along the way!
1. Why I Check My Roof Before Storms
Last year, I was too busy to check my roof, and that missing shingle turned into a $150 repair after the storm, my wife wasn’t thrilled, and I had to hear about it over dinner!
That’s when I realized the importance of learning how to spot roof wear before spring storms to avoid such headaches.
Now, I make it a point to look before the wild weather hits, and it’s kept my house dry through Texas downpours, even during those loud nights when the thunder shook the windows.
It’s all about catching wear early to avoid leaks, damaged ceilings, or a panicked midnight fix, and I bet it’ll work for you too, no matter where you live. I wish I’d known this sooner, it would’ve spared me a wet kitchen and a grumpy dog!
2. What I Use and How I Start
I keep it simple with my wobbly ladder from the shed, years old but still holding up, my kid’s scratched-up binoculars, and a flashlight I found buried in the junk drawer.
My neighbor Mike joins me to spot me; it’s our little ritual now, and he brings coffee, which makes it fun. I start by strolling my yard, tilting my head up to scan for curled shingles, moss patches, or anything that looks off, like a shingle that’s lifted like it’s ready to fly away.
It’s so easy, and you can do it with stuff you already have, maybe even rope in a friend for a chat while you’re at it!
3. Getting Up Close and Spotting Wear
I climb up on a dry day, never again in the rain, I slipped once and nearly fell into the bushes, which my kids still tease me about!
Try and check my shingles for brittleness, running my hands over them to feel for crumbly spots where the sun’s baked them; last year, I found a few that cracked under my touch.
Peek at the flashing near my chimney for rust, found a spot that let water in during a storm, so I nudged it with a screwdriver. My gutters had piles of granules, a sign of wear, and moss grew on the north side after a rainy spell, making it slippery, I nearly slid off! Inside,
I spotted a yellow stain on my ceiling, tracing it to a worn patch, and that’s when I learned to look everywhere. Last year, I nailed a loose shingle, taped a small crack that held through a storm, but a big crack leaked again, teaching me a $300 lesson to call a pro.
4. Quick Fixes and When to Get Help
For small stuff, I tape cracks with weatherproof tape, it held through a storm once, and I felt pretty clever about it! I pressed the tape down tight, making sure no water could sneak in, and it lasted until the rain passed.
But when I tried fixing a big crack myself with some caulk I had, it leaked again within a week, so I called a pro who charged $300 to do it right.
If it’s too much damage, a sagging roof, or you can’t climb safely, maybe the ladder wobbles like mine sometimes, I’d suggest home services, Check Here. It’s a relief to let someone handle the tough stuff!
5. Tips, Safety, and Why It Matters to Me
I check before April storms in Texas, but I adjust for Florida’s heavy rains or Kansas’s wild winds, last time, a gust nearly blew me off, and Mike had to grab my leg!
This habit of learning how to spot roof wear before spring storms has been a game-changer for keeping my home safe. I Wear gloves to grip better, a harness I snagged at the hardware store for steep spots, and sturdy boots; it’s a must after my slip.
Try and Peek twice a year, spring before storms and fall before snow, and it saved me from a $500 hail repair last year when I caught wear early.
It keeps my house cozy, my family happy, and I love that feeling whether I’m in sunny Arizona, snowy Vermont, or anywhere in between. This little habit has turned my roof into a fortress!
Conclusion
Well, by learning how to spot roof wear before spring storms, there you have it, my journey from a leaky kitchen to a storm-ready roof!
I hope these tips help you spot wear before the next spring storm hits your neck of the woods, whether it’s rain in Washington, wind in Carolina, or hail in Nebraska.
Drop your own storm story in the comments or share it on X with #DIYRoofing, I’d love to hear how it goes and swap tips with you. Keep coming back to absoluteperfectionroofing.com for more of my lessons, and let’s keep our homes safe together!
[Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you, thanks for supporting absoluteperfectionroofing.com! This article is written by me, a homeowner sharing my own experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should I check my roof for wear before spring storms?
Answer: I check mine twice a year, once in spring before the storms and again in fall before winter. Last year, catching wear early in Texas saved me from a $500 hail repair, so I’d say do it at least before the wild weather starts where you are, like rain in Oregon or wind in Kansas!
2. What should I look for when checking my roof from the ground?
Answer: Start by walking your yard and looking up, I spot curled shingles, moss patches, or missing pieces with my kid’s old binoculars. After that Texas storm, I noticed dark spots that turned out to be trouble, so keep an eye out for anything that looks off before climbing up.
3. Is it safe for me to climb on my roof to check it?
Answer: I only go up on dry days, and even then, I slipped once and nearly fell into the bushes, my kids still tease me! I wear gloves, use a harness, and have my neighbor Mike spot me, but if your ladder wobbles or it feels risky, I’d call home services. Click Here.
4. What can I do if I find small roof damage before a storm?
Answer: For little stuff, I tape cracks with weatherproof tape, it held through a storm for me once, and I felt pretty proud! Just press it down tight, but for anything big, I learned the hard way ($300 later) to get a pro, so don’t push your luck.
