If you’re charged with managing a home that experiences heavy storms, you know that the task can feel daunting. There are always things you didn’t think to secure until you learn the lesson the hard way. You also know that storms might speed up your property’s natural wear and tear, and you’re doing your best to minimize that process as it is. And then, after the storm hits, you’ve got to deal with the aftermath, which can involve cleaning, yard work, and repairs. The following will focus on just one area of your home that might need a little extra care post-storm: your roof.
Analyze The Situation
First and foremost, you need to take stock of the situation. This means having a look at any damages that occurred and inspecting things related to your roofs like the attic ceiling, gutters, chimney, skylights, and downspouts. If it helps, you can take a notepad with you as you walk around the perimeter of your home and any sheds or separated garages you have. Write down anything you notice that isn’t as it should be. If the list is long, that’s okay; remind yourself that you will organize it and prioritize it later on. You don’t need to figure out any problems you come across at this point; just write them down.
If you’re comfortable and it’s safe to do so, you can also climb up on your roof to better look at the situation there. Never ignore the appropriate safety precautions if you decide to look at your roof from up top; add anything to the notes you need to.
The Initial Clean
Next up, you’re probably going to want to tackle an initial clean. This will involve pulling any branches off your roof that have landed there in the storm and collecting any shingles that have blown away and landed in the yard. While this task might not feel like the most pressing issue, it can do wonders for making you feel better about the situation.
Organize Your List
Next up, make a cup of tea and sit down with your list. You’re going to want to divide everything on the list into a few categories. Your small wins category is going to include all the easy tasks you can do yourself. Depending on your physical abilities and comfort levels, you might put most of the tasks into the category or none of them. The goal here is to have a list you can approach when you’re in need of a little dopamine hit; these tasks should take no more than an hour.
The second category is your emergency measures that take top priority. These are things like getting a tarp up on the roof to prevent water damage inside; roofing specialists at Roofing emphasize that you can often get professionals to help you out with these sorts of tasks. This is especially important if you’re not comfortable going up on your roof or it doesn’t seem safe.
Your third category should list bigger things you can do yourself—the tasks that will take more than an hour, that require additional steps (like running to the hardware store, for instance), or that need to be compared with your budget before action can be taken.
The fourth category is things that you need research to complete or professional help with.
Call The Professionals
If you need help with patching or repairs, now is the time to call your local roofing experts. If there was an extreme storm in your area, there’s a chance that many people are in need of help with their roofing, and this means you want to book any appointments sooner rather than later so you’re not waiting too long. During this call, you’ll also want to ask any questions you have about the tasks you’re going to tackle yourself. There might be certain things your roofing professional wants to be done before you arrive. Adjust your lists after the call is done if needed.
Kanban It Out
You’re in for a real treat if you haven’t heard of the kanban method. You’re going to take your to-do lists and break down everything into individual tasks or steps. Once that’s done, you’re going to mark off two spaces either on a board, in a notebook, on a whiteboard, or even on a piece of paper on the fridge; this is going to be your kanban board. One is going to be labeled In Progress, and the other is going to be labeled Done.
Pick one thing on your to-do list and throw it up on your in-progress board. Once it’s done, move it to the done board and then add a new task to in progress. This will keep you from getting overwhelmed by the massive list of tasks you have to do because you’re only going to be looking at the next step that needs to be done. When you’re feeling low or discouraged, take a task from your easier list. When you’re feeling energized, pick a harder task.
The above tips should help you take care of your roof after a major storm. Of course, this approach can also help you handle other home maintenance projects as well.
