In an article published in timesdispatch.com dated October 30, 2012, Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia said that Hurricane Sandy only caused minimal damage to the state, but residents were warned to prepare for possible heavy snow. Note that storms and bouts of snow can seriously damage your roof, and even lead to leaks, cracked shingles, and other major home problems. Fortunately, you can depend on skilled roofers in Richmond, VA to help with your roof maintenance tasks.
When around 8 inches of snow fell in Tazewell County, more than 7 inches in Giles County, and about 2 to 5 inches in Bland County, Rockbridge County, and Craig County, most of Virginia became a winter wonderland, but also a motorist’s nightmare scape. The snow and storm made major roads dangerous for motorists, with the Eastern Shore hit the hardest because of the flooding along the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. In Northern Virginia, Hurricane Sandy left almost 88,000 homes without electricity.
In Richmond, Hurricane Sandy dropped about 2 to 4 inches of rain with a 40 mph wind speed. There was no significant damage to Richmond, hence Mayor Dwight C. Jones lifted the city’s state of emergency later in the day. However, homeowners who already suffered their fair share of hurricanes, are quick to call on professional Richmond roofers to check their roofing for storm damage.
The roof can be damaged in many ways as strong winds that accompany a storm can blow shingles off the roof, deform the flashing, and even loosen the gutters. Snowstorms can, likewise, bring trouble to your roofing, because a thick and heavy layer of snow left on your roof can crack the shingles as well as the gutters, as such roofing components are not designed to carry too much weight.
When planning to evaluate the roof for storm damage, wait until the weather clears up, or better yet, hire a professional from an established roofing company like A Plus Roofing to ensure a thorough inspection and immediate repair if necessary. Obvious damage, particularly problems that could lead to leaks should be prioritized. Also, check and clean the gutters if they are clogged by debris such as twigs, dead leaves, and birds’ nests.
As soon as the roofer steps on your roof and you hear a crunching sound, there’s a high probability that the roof was lifted by the wind during the storm and is settling back into place. If more than 25 or 30 percent of the roof area has been battered by the storm and your roof is actually close to the end of its expected lifespan, you may want to consult with a leading roofer in your area and discuss roof replacement with your insurance provider.
