It's storm season! Well, it's almost always storm season in Alabama. And with storms comes storm damage, usually to your roof. Your new roof came with a one year installation warranty, and your homeowner's insurance will cover major damage. But your deductible may make that claim hard to swallow. Fortunately there are some things you can do to avoid costly leaks and repairs. Inspect your roof every spring and fall. Look for missing shingles, rust, moss, and cracked caulking. A couple of shingles are easy to replace, but a roof leak caused by them can cause major damage to the interior of your home. While it is best to inspect your roof and attic before a storm, you should also check after a big storm so that you can make any necessary repairs now, instead of finding the damage when your roof leaks during the next storm! Leaf guards may decrease the amount of time between gutter cleanings, but leaves and debris can still build up on top of and inside your gutters. You should still regularly check to make sure there is no blockage in your gutters. And the #1 most important thing you can do to maintain your roof is... CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS! Gutters are one of the biggest deterrent of roof leaks. They keep water flowing away from your house and not into it, protecting your roof, walls, foundation, and landscaping. Blocked gutters can cause water to build up where it doesn't belong, which can lead to foundation cracks, rotting wood, roof and basement leaks, and even insect problems. Critter love stagnant water. Issues resulting from poor home maintenance may not be covered under your insurance. Please make sure to be careful if you're cleaning your gutters yourself! Make sure your ladder is sturdy and in good condition. Make sure you place the ladder on firm flat ground, and that the foot pads are firmly set. The upper section of your extension ladder should be on top. Always maintain three points of contact with your ladder. And stay far away from power lines! OSHA is a great source for proper ladder usage, you can find more information at https://www.osha.gov/Publications/portable_ladder_qc.html .
