Wildfires and Your Roof

With the current break out of wildfires all over Utah and Colorado, it came to us that there must be something that can be done to lessen the risk of a wildfire damaging your home or property.  Although it is often times just down to location, there are preventative steps that can be taken to help with the problem and that can better prepare your home for this kind of situation.

 

Obviously, our products and services means that we deal with the roofs on homes frequently, so we were interested to know that taking simple preventive measures on your roof can potentially save your home. It may seem like a very obvious thing to do, but if you live in a hot place that is prone to wildfires you must make sure that your roof and gutters are free from debris at all times. Getting rid of pine needles, leaves and other trash will reduce the risk of a spark catching and burning your house.

 

There are some things that you can do in your yard to help reduce risks as well, and the most basic of which is weeding. You do not want to have dry or dead weeds and plants in your yard, as these are highly flammable. If 60% or more of the plant is dead, remove it and throw it away so that it is no longer a fire hazard.

 

Pruning at the right time of year can also make a big difference. Trim plans back while they are still healthy, as the moisture in them means they will be less flammable. If possible, do this in spring.

 

These are just a few suggestions, but every little helps when it comes to taking care of your home!