Weather Damage & Your Roof: What You Should Know
Severe weather can wear down your roof, resulting in expensive repairs and even early replacement. If you reside in Louisiana or Mississippi, your house is subject to hurricanes, heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and scorching heat, all of which can harm your roof over time. Knowing how severe weather impacts your roof can assist you in taking preventive actions to make it last longer.
1. Hurricanes & Strong Winds
How It Impacts Your Roof
Hurricanes and storms cause strong winds that can pick up, crack, or peel shingles off your roof, making it prone to leaks and damage. Windborne debris also pierces roofing material.
Prevention & Protection
✅ Replace roofing material with hurricane-resistant types such as metal or impact-resistant shingles.
✅ Repair loose shingles using professional roof sealants.
✅ Prune trees around your home so branches will not fall onto your roof.
2. Heavy Rain & Flooding
How It Impacts Your Roof
Ongoing exposure to heavy rain can deteriorate shingles, create leaks, and result in mold and rot on the roof decking. Inadequate drainage can also result in water accumulation, causing roof damage.
Prevention & Protection
✅ Maintain clean gutters to allow for proper water drainage.
✅ Check for missing or broken shingles on a regular basis.
✅ Add a waterproof underlayment under shingles for added protection.
3. Hailstorms
How It Impacts Your Roof
Hailstones can dent, crack, or shatter shingles, particularly asphalt and wood. Heavy hail damage can cause leaks and a compromised roof structure.
Prevention & Protection
✅ Invest in impact-resistant shingles or metal roofing.
✅ Check your roof after hailstorms for outward signs of damage.
✅ Have professional roof inspections to identify hidden damage before it’s too late.
4. Extreme Heat & Sun Exposure
How It Impacts Your Roof
☀️ Extreme heat and sunburning UV radiation may make shingles crack, curl, or become discolored, shortening their life. Extended exposure to sunlight also softens roofing materials, eventually making them brittle.
Prevention & Protection
✅ Use UV-resistant roofing materials such as metal, tile, or cool-roof shingles.
✅ Proper attic ventilation to limit heat buildup.
✅ Reflective roof coatings to keep the heat off.
5. Snow & Ice (Sporadically in the South)
How It Affects Your Roof
❄️ Although uncommon in Louisiana and Mississippi, snow and ice can form ice dams, hindering proper drainage and causing leaks and water damage.
Prevention & Protection
✅ Provide adequate attic insulation to avoid heat loss.
✅ Keep gutters clean to enable melted snow to drain effectively.
✅ Utilize roof rakes to clear excess snow accumulation when needed.
Protect Your Roof from Bad Weather with Sunbelt Roofs
Severe weather is unpredictable, but you can safeguard your home by ensuring your roof is in good condition. Regular checks and maintenance can stop minor issues from escalating into big problems.
Louisiana: 985-805-6921 | Mississippi: 228-222-5255