We’ve seen some heavy rainfall during the first few days of October in Southeastern Wisconsin. We have even had flood warnings and requests to decrease water usage in the Milwaukee area. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) states that just one inch of rain in their service area can mean 7.1 billion gallons of water.

With over 4 inches of rain in the last week of September and the first few days of October, facilities and sewer systems have been running at or near capacity.

Does Rain Damage Your Roof?

When looking at your home and how rain can impact your home, think about how much rainfall has fallen on your roof in the last week. Take a 40ft by 60ft roof for example. An inch of rainfall on a square foot of surface area yields 0.623 gallons. Multiply that by the square footage of your roof and we are at 1495 gallons of rainwater coming in contact with your roof.

With over 4 inches in some areas of southeastern Wisconsin, we are nearing 6,000 gallons of rainwater running down your roof and through your gutters. This is a lot of water, and can be damaging to your roof, gutters, and even the inside of your home if your roof is not properly maintained.

So yes, heavy rain can cause problems including leaks, stains, wood rot and mold, cracks, and even ice dams.

The design of your roof can have a large impact on potential damage to your home during significant rainfall. A poorly designed roofline can cause quicker deterioration if there are areas on your roof where water can pool/not drain efficiently. This may not directly lead to damage, but over time shingles may come loose and water may work its way into your home as things begin to deteriorate.

How To Keep Water From Damaging My Home

One good solution for diverting this water away from your home is long gutters pointing away from the foundation of your home. An even better solution is to collect this water in a rain barrel. There are other things that can lead to problems when this much rainfall is experienced in our area.

Your gutters can have a significant impact on keeping your home dry, too. Without proper guttering, water can collect around the foundation of your home, which can lead to moisture problems in your basement.

If you notice rainfall damage to your roof, fee free to give our roofing experts a call at (262) 662-5311. At American Roofing, our trusted roofing professionals are experienced in protecting your home against the elements.