When the weather in Colorado is beautiful and everything is calm, decisions are easy to make. But when the weather is horrible and the electricity goes out, this is another story entirely. This is no time to be making critical decisions. Rather, it’s time to implement Roof Construction Steps proper plans that you thought about when everything was calm and the weather was nice. If your roof has been damaged due to a fallen tree, tree branch or limb, immediate action is necessary because the stability of the entire structure could be affected.
Rarely do we have tornadoes in Colorado Springs but we do have them in the surrounding areas of El Paso and Pueblo counties. In this case, roofs will be damaged by high winds and debris hitting the roof. The very first thing you need to ascertain is if electrical power lines are down on your roof or in your yard. If they are, exercise EXTREME caution. Stay away from them and keep everyone away from them. The best thing to do is call 911 and inform them so they can contact the proper authorities immediately. Downed power lines are classified as an emergency situation.
Most of the emergencies we encounter involved too much snow accumulating on trees near a home which causes the tree limbs to snap. When this occurs you will usually hear a major thud when it crashes onto the roof. The first thing to do is get all family members and pets away from that section of the house. Dress yourself accordingly, flashlight in hand, and go outside and check it out. Once again you will check for downed power lines, same procedure as above. Do not get on a ladder and do not consider getting on the roof. From the ground you are going to be looking for any holes in the side of the house or broken windows. Structural damage can occur if the tree that has fallen is of substantial size. If there’s no major structural damage you can use plastic and duct tape to cover holes or broken windows that are safely accessible until the storm is over. It is best to do as little as is absolutely necessary until the weather has passed. Remember that Colorado Springs has very mild winters and the weather usually returns to those conditions relatively fast.
When you have determined that there are no life threatening conditions but you know a tree is lying on the roof you will need to make three phone calls.
1. your local Colorado Springs roofing company
2. your local Colorado Springs tree removal company
3. your homeowner’s insurance claims department
Emergency Roof Supplies
Here is a basic list of materials to be used until your roofer shows up:
plastic sheeting Replacing Your Own Roof
duct tape
bungee cords
2 x 4’s
plywood
nails
tarp
All minor repairs can be accomplished by most homeowner’s with these basic supplies and materials. It cannot be stressed enough to wait until the weather is favorable to do most exterior home repair activities involving your roof.