by royalcrownroofing | Jun 28, 2022 | Emergency Preparations, Roof Cleaning, Roof Maintenance, Severe Weather
Gutters are important to take care of before storm season arrives since they do the important job of diverting water away from your house. They funnel rain to downspouts so it stays off the walls of your house and empties into drainage areas away from the foundation and your landscaping.
All of this can’t happen if the gutters are clogged with twigs, leaves, bird nests, dirt, grime, mold, algae, or other debris. They need to be cleared for rain to move quickly and effectively without overflowing into the wrong places.
If you clean the gutters yourself, you can use a scrub brush or power washer on a low setting to wash away the debris. You also need to check out the condition of the hardware attaching the gutters to your roof and make sure they are strong enough to withstand the strong winds and heavy downpours that are coming. It’s also a good idea to install gutter guards, which will prevent debris from being washed through the gutters, into the downspouts, and making a mess on your landscaping below. And check out the downspouts to make sure they are secured properly and are strong enough to do the job.
Finally, if you are not up to all of this ladder climbing and maintenance work on your gutter system, another solution exists. Contact Royal Crown Roofing for their assistance in making sure everything is in good order.
by siteadmin | May 15, 2020 | Emergency Preparations, Roof Damage, Severe Weather
Summer is approaching, and with it, the severe summer thunderstorms Texas is famous for. Thunderstorms on their own are nothing new and not really cause for alarm. However, late spring and early summer tends to be peak season for tornadoes in the south. Even severe storms that don’t produce tornadoes can damage your house. Are you ready for the upcoming summer storms?
Weather forecasts can tell you when a storm will likely arrive and the speed of its winds, but they can’t accurately predict what severe weather could do to your home. Consequently, it’s always an excellent plan to stay prepared for severe weather throughout the entire summer season. Here’s how to get ready.
Home Maintenance
First things first: is your roof leaking? Are there any weak spots that a thunderstorm might damage even further? Go outside and look for missing or broken shingles, then inspect the roof interior for dark or damp spots that indicate a leak. A leaky roof is the last thing you need in a severe thunderstorm! Schedule an emergency roof repair or cover the leaks temporarily until you can get a professional to patch up the roof.
Emergency Supplies
As the saying goes, hope for the best, plan for the worst. If you’re stuck in your house with flooded streets and no electricity, would you be able to hold out for a while? Make sure you can! Stock up on shelf-stable food, bottled water, basic hygiene supplies, medicine, and more to build an emergency kit for yourself and your family. (Find a more comprehensive list of emergency supplies here.) Determine what your family needs and how much of it to stay safe in your house for a while if necessary.
Backup Plan
Most summer storms are ultimately harmless, causing minimal damage to your home or neighborhood. However, dangerous weather like hurricanes can be truly devastating. Don’t risk it if your home is in the path of a hurricane or tornado. As long as it’s safe to travel, evacuate while you can. Plan ahead on how you’ll leave, when you’ll evacuate, what you’ll take along, where you’ll go, and more with your family ahead of time. Don’t be caught off guard with severe weather.
Pro Tip: Before you evacuate to escape a severe storm, unplug your home’s electricity, water, and gas lines. Any of these rupturing during a storm can cause further damage.
Weathering the Storm
Most summer thunderstorms won’t cause significant damage to your home. Likewise, it’s unlikely you’ll have to evacuate unless a hurricane or tornado forms. But even a mild thunderstorm could temporarily knock out your power or flood the streets enough to make driving unsafe. It’s always an excellent idea to be prepared for anything during the stormy summer season.
Join the conversation for more tips on planning for bad weather.
by siteadmin | Dec 6, 2019 | Emergency Preparations, Hurricane Preparation, Severe Weather
The weather alerts are scrolling across your phone and people are scrambling to the grocery store to stock up on food. It’s important to know how to prepare your home for severe weather to prevent unnecessary damage. When the storm hits, are you and your family going to be ready?
Your Storm Preparation Checklist
According to a recent survey from an insurance company, 75% of homeowners don’t prepare their homes for incoming storms. Unfortunately, neglecting the maintenance of your home can result in costly damages and unnecessary repairs. If severe weather is headed your way, be sure to keep this storm preparation checklist close at hand.
- Maintain your roof
- Trim your trees
- Move outdoor furniture inside
- Clean your gutters
- Assemble an emergency kit
1) Maintain your roof
Have you checked your roof for leaks? Are there any shingles missing? The roof of your home is one of the most protective features of your home. If a natural disaster or heavy rainstorm is headed your way, inspect your roof for any damages or weak points.
2) Trim your trees
When a storm is headed your way, don’t forget to look up. Heavy rain and wind can break tree limbs and send falling debris to your home. In the days leading up to the storm, trim your trees and remove any dead plants from the yard.
Pro Tip: Unfortunately, dead trees or plants can cause just as much harm since they’re more susceptible to being pulled out by their roots and damaging your lawn
3) Move outdoor furniture inside
Between the chance of hailstorms or strong wind, your belongings outside of your home will undoubtedly be affected. Be sure to move all outdoor furniture, playground toys, and loose equipment inside your garage or shed. It might require a little effort to move everything, but the members of your family will be thankful their personal items are kept safe.
4) Clean your gutters
The gutter system on your home was designed to minimize flooding and to protect your roof. However, if it’s clogged with falling leaves and branches, it will hardly have a chance to work correctly. To protect your home, clean your gutters and double-check that rainwater will be able to flow freely.
5) Assemble an emergency kit
If the electricity was turned off and the roads were closed, would your family be prepared to stay in your home? No matter how severe the storm is, it’s important to have a basic emergency kit to ensure the safety of both your home and family. In addition to an emergency supply of food, we recommend gathering a flashlight, batteries, candles, and any other items that will help in the time of a power outage.
Stay Alert and Plan Ahead
If you know a storm is headed your way, it’s a good idea to make sure you and your family will be safe in your home. It’s important to heed warnings and severe weather alerts from your local meteorologist. If you’re asked to evacuate or take shelter outside of your home, preparing your house ahead of time will help prevent damages or future repairs.
Do you need to get your house ready for an incoming storm? Connect with one of our technicians to schedule a service appointment!
by siteadmin | Sep 27, 2019 | Hurricane Preparation, Roof Damage, Severe Weather
The southeastern United States knows all about hurricane damage and preparations. But in the heat of the moment, as you’re looking at a damaged house, it can be easy to forget a lot of the practical advice you’ve gotten and just start trying to fix things yourself immediately. Rarely, if ever, is this a good idea! Do you know what to actually do for roof damage after a hurricane?
Hurricanes can completely devastate your roof, leaving your home and belongings vulnerable to further damage. But don’t lose your cool as you deal with this new situation. Here are the steps to take immediately after you discover a damaged roof.
Get Temporary Repairs Done ASAP
Your first order of business should be keeping the damage from spreading any further. Perform a little temporary roof repair. If you can find the leak on the interior of your roof and it’s a manageable size, cover it with a tarp or other waterproof material temporarily. Don’t let any more water get into your house.
Unfortunately, hurricane damage can frequently result in leaks large enough that a simple tarp cover isn’t going to do much good. Call your local roofing contractor and see how quickly they can patch your roof to keep damage from spreading further. While actual repairs may have to wait, they can at least provide a temporary solution.
File Your Insurance Claim Immediately
Don’t wait to file an insurance claim! After a disaster, your insurance company will be flooded with requests and claims. Get yours in quickly to avoid waiting too long for professional repairs. The sooner you file your claim, the sooner your life can go back to normal.
Pro Tip: Your roofing contractors will work with your insurance company and be your advocate to make sure you get the most value from your claim. Let the professionals handle the insurance negotiations.
Choose a Trustworthy Houston Roofing Company
After a natural disaster, out-of-town companies known as storm chasers will show up and offer free or allegedly discounted inspection and repair services. Don’t let them near your roof! These companies will vanish once the job is done, leaving you to deal with any problems that may arise later. These contractors tend to charge exorbitant prices for subpar work and leave before dealing with any fallout. Don’t let this happen to you! Stick with a local, trustworthy company with an incentive to give you the best job possible.
Dealing with Roof Damage After a Hurricane
Hurricane season isn’t over until the end of November 2019. With just over a month to go, it’s still possible that an unexpected storm could cause extensive damage to your roof. Don’t let it take you by surprise! If you stay on top of things and have your roof inspected and repaired quickly, life can get back to normal soon.
Connect with us for more insights on maintaining your roof and dealing with hurricane damage.
by siteadmin | Sep 20, 2019 | Emergency Preparations, Hurricane Preparation, Severe Weather
Once a hurricane has passed over your house, there’s almost certainly going to be some damage to deal with. Even a brand-new roof might have a few shingles missing here and there. However, not all hurricane damage is easily visible. Following a hurricane or severe weather, you should always inspect your roof yourself for any less obvious signs of damage.
Hurricane Roof Damage
Storm damage caused by a hurricane can leave some nasty marks on your house. However, don’t assume you got lucky if your house appears relatively untouched. A hurricane’s high winds and pounding rain can cause structural damage to your roof even if not one shingle is out of place. Here’s what to look for after a hurricane:
- Roof leaks
- Clogged gutters or downspouts
- Missing shingles
1) Roof Leaks
A hurricane can puncture holes in your roof from flying debris or cause damage to your home’s structural integrity. Even missing shingles can allow rain into your house. Since leaks may not be visible from the outside, begin by inspecting the inside of your roof. Are there any obvious holes or damages? Can you see any dark spots, indicating moisture is spreading?
Pro Tip: If you discover a leak on the inside of your roof, you can temporarily patch it with a tarp or other waterproof material until a professional can repair it.
2) Clogged Gutters or Downspouts
As you inspect your roof after a storm, don’t forget to check your gutters and downspouts as well. If you haven’t installed gutter guards or they’ve been damaged, you might find yourself dealing with pools of water on your roof that can cause collapses and expensive damage. Clean leaves or twigs out of your gutters to allow water to flow off freely and prevent this from happening.
3) Missing Shingles
Arguably the most common type of hurricane damage, missing tiles can lead to all sorts of problems with your roof. The most common issue, however, is leaking. A missing tile leaves a hole in your roof’s waterproof cover and can allow the rain inside. Your best bet to keep this damage in check is to temporarily install some extra shingles or other waterproof material on the outside of your roof to prevent further damage from occurring while you wait for repairs.
Protect Your Woodlands Home
Before the hurricane arrives, take as many preventive measures as you can to make sure your home stays protected from the high wind and rain that severe weather brings. If the hurricane passes and your home sustains some damage, the best thing you can do is arrange for repairs as quickly as possible. The faster you get the damages fixed, the less time things have to get worse and the sooner you can return to living in an undamaged house.
Connect with us for more tips on preparing for a hurricane.
by siteadmin | Sep 13, 2019 | Emergency Preparations, Roof Damage, Severe Weather
Hurricane season isn’t over until the end of November. As the National Weather Service tracks storms and keeps everyone updated, make sure that you and your family are ready to wait out any severe weather. If you decide not to evacuate or can’t evacuate, these emergency supplies may be all you have to go on for a while.
While you should always maintain a kit of emergency supplies, it’s particularly important to double-check that kit this time of year and replace items as necessary. Don’t let yourself get caught by surprise with an expired kit. Use this checklist to make sure you have everything you need and a plan for staying safe this hurricane season.
Food and Drink
Your disaster kit should contain a three-day supply of nonperishable food for each person in your home. Make sure it’s easy to open and prepare as well–for instance, opt for pull-tab tops on canned foods so you don’t have to worry about a can opener. Along with the food, make sure each family member has a three-day supply of clean water with at least one gallon per person per day set aside. Don’t substitute the water for other drinks like fruit juice or soda. While these drinks may taste better sometimes and last a while, because of their less beneficial nutritional content and the potential to increase thirst through high sugar content, they should be saved as a last resort.
Non-Edible Essentials
Of course, there are plenty of non-edible supplies you should include in your emergency kit. These include:
Medical Supplies
- 7-day supply of any prescription medicine your family needs
- Bandages
- Sanitary wipes
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen and bug spray
Evacuation Supplies
- Extra cash
- Copies of personal records: passports, proof of address, medical papers, etc.
- Family members’ contact info
- A full tank of gas
- Flashlights
- Hand-crank or battery-powered radio to monitor the weather
- Extra batteries
- Extra sets of keys for your house and car
- Cell phones and extra chargers and/or battery packs
- Spare clothes
Specialized Supplies
- Baby supplies: diapers, wipes, formula, etc.
- Pet supplies: food, carrier, leash, etc.
Pro Tip: Take before and after photos of your house to document any damage that may occur. Your insurance will appreciate it.
Before the Storm Hits
Keep your gas tank full and go down the checklist to see what supplies you may need. Keep an eye on the weather in the meantime. Prepare your home for severe weather by covering the windows, moving valuables inside, and any other steps you deem necessary. Most importantly, make sure your family knows the evacuation plan if it comes to that. Protect what’s really valuable.
Be Ready for Anything
Even the most advanced weather equipment is occasionally wrong. Sometimes, a hurricane projected to die at sea causes severe damage on land. We can never be completely sure what the weather might bring. The best we can do is make sure we’re ready to weather the storm.
Join the conversation for more ideas for your hurricane preparedness checklist.
