Anyone who has lived in Minnesota can tell you that the weather can be pretty intense. While the Twin Cities metro is best known for having frigid winters, severe storms throughout the summer months are also a common occurrence. Summer storms bring torrential rain, straight-line winds, hail, and lightning that can be destructive to the exterior of your home.

If you want to minimize storm damage to your Twin Cities area home, it’s important to know what to be prepared for. Keep reading to learn more about summer storms in Minnesota and the problems they can cause for your property.

Hazards of Summer Thunderstorms in the Twin Cities

  • Rain – Rainstorms are frequent throughout both spring and summer in Minnesota, and they’re not normally a problem. However, torrential rainstorms or a large number of rainfalls in a short period can overwhelm drainage systems. If gutters or sewers overflow, it can result in water flooding the lower levels of your home and causing damage. A damaged roof is also likely to spring a leak when it rains.
  • Wind – Summer storms in the Twin Cities tend to produce high-speed gusts of wind that can be destructive to our homes. Winds in excess of 50mph can snap branches off trees and strip loose shingles off of roofs. Straight-line winds, which can reach speeds of up to 100mph, are particularly damaging. Even less severe windstorms may blow an excess of debris into your gutters and downspouts, clogging them and leading to future issues.
  • Hail – Severe thunderstorms in Minnesota may produce hailstones which, depending on their size, can be extremely hazardous to our homes. Fortunately, hail is usually too small to cause serious damage, but when hail reaches one inch in diameter, that’s another story. Large hailstones can destroy windows, siding boards, and roof shingles on impact. A single hailstorm can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your property.
  • Lightning – One of the biggest threats to lives and property during thunderstorms is lightning. Homes are designed to minimize the chance of a lightning strike, and to mitigate the damage if the house is struck. Nonetheless, lightning does strike homes and the consequences can be severe. A lightning strike will often destroy any electronics within the home and may even start a fire.

Home Damage That Can Occur During Summer Storms

  • Roof Damage – When summer storms roll through the Twin Cities metro, roofs of local homes often take the brunt of the damage. Hailstorms can crack or dent roof shingles, compromising the roof’s structural integrity. Straight-line winds can also tear away roof shingles or knock down tree branches onto the roof. Once a room has suffered storm damage, it becomes vulnerable to leaks, which will cause additional water damage.
    ○ Prevention: Inspect your roof for signs of storm damage during fall. Hire a storm damage restoration contractor to repair any damage before winter.
  • Siding Damage – The siding of homes in Minnesota also frequently suffer damage during summer storms. Large hail and debris kicked up by the wind can be destructive to siding, particularly siding made from aluminum or vinyl. Storm damaged siding is also susceptible to leaking and water damage during rainstorms.
    ○ Prevention: Each spring, make sure that the caulk between siding panels is in good condition and forms an airtight seal to prevent water damage.
  • Window Damage – Among the biggest risks to a house during a storm is the possibility that windows will crack or even shatter. This is especially likely to happen if a severe thunderstorm produces large hailstones or powerful wind that throws around heavy debris. Windows with worn-out sealing are also vulnerable to leaking during rainstorms, which could lead to water damage inside your home.
    ○ Prevention: Make sure all windows have weatherproof stripping to avoid leaks. Close all window treatments in a severe storm in case glass is shattered.
  • Gutter Damage – Gutters are vulnerable to getting clogged up with debris during summer storms, since strong winds will blow many leaves, needles, and sticks into them. When gutters are blocked up, they will flood in torrential rainstorms, which can result in water damage to a home. Particularly strong winds and large hail can also damage the gutters themselves.
    ○ Prevention: Clean gutters as needed during summer so they can effectively drain rainwater from your roof. Consider installing gutter guards to minimize debris build-up.

The Twin Cities’ Top-Rated Storm Damage Restoration Company

If your home has suffered damage from a summer thunderstorm, our team can help you to restore your property. Contact Arko Exteriors today if you’re in need of storm damage restoration services in the greater Twin Cities area!