Out of the winter frying pan and into the summer wildfires

By Anthony Alvarado, Gunner Roofing. 

From choosing the right roofing material to landscaping your lawn properly, check out these five steps to help protect your home from the flames.  

As we approach the summer, homeowners in wildfire-prone areas such as California, Colorado, Arizona and Oregon face the threat of wildfires. These unpredictable and devastating fires are terrifying and can feel completely out of control. However, our experts at Gunner Roofing have collected some steps you can take to try and safeguard your properties against wildfires. The first step comes at the top of your house — your roof!  

The roof is the first line of defense for a home and the material it is made of can have a huge effect on its performance and durability during this wildfire season. In this article, we share essential tips and strategies for picking the right material and conducting proper maintenance so the roof is set up for success. But our commitment extends beyond just the roof, we also have information about preparing the area around your home, both immediate and in the wider community. Keep reading to learn what you can do before the wildfire season begins!  

1 - Understanding the risk 

Wildfires, with their capacity to ignite and spread swiftly, pose a significant threat, especially given their ability to carry embers across long distances to vulnerable targets like residential roofs. These roofs, often the first point of contact for airborne embers, can easily catch fire if made from non-fire-resistant materials, leading to potential property loss and danger to inhabitants. Recognizing this risk is crucial for homeowners in wildfire-prone areas, like those in the western United States, necessitating a proactive approach in selecting fire-resistant roofing materials and maintaining a debris-free environment. This preparation is not just advisable; it’s a critical safeguard for the protection of homes and families against the unpredictable ferocity of wildfires. 

2 - Choosing fire-resistant roofing materials 

The choice of roofing materials is crucial in fortifying your home against wildfires, with the roofing industry offering materials rated for their fire-resistance, such as Class A fire-rated asphalt shingles, metal roofing and clay and concrete tiles. These fire-resistant roofing materials are designed to withstand not just light or moderate fire exposure but also severe to extreme fire conditions, ensuring superior protection from flying embers and intense heat that can originate from wildfires. 

• Asphalt shingles: Recognized for their cost-effectiveness and durability, fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles installed by Gunner are a standout option for homeowners in fire-prone areas. Enhanced with fire-retardant chemicals, GAF shingles – used by Gunner Roofing – offer a high level of fire-resistance, making them an ideal roofing material for homes in states like California, Colorado, Arizona and Oregon, where wildfire damage is a significant concern. This choice not only meets but exceeds stringent fire-safety standards, ensuring that your roof deck and entire roofing system are well-equipped to resist the spread of fire. 
• Metal roofing: Metal roofing systems are renowned for their fire-resistance, not supporting combustion, thereby reducing the risk of fire spreading. Their resilience against severe fire exposure, coupled with minimal maintenance requirements and the ability to withstand high heat, makes metal roofs a wise investment for those seeking long-term, fire-resistant roofing solutions. 
• Clay and concrete tiles: Offering unparalleled fireproof qualities, clay and concrete tiles are among the most fire-resistant roofing options available. Though the installation of these tile materials may require additional structural support due to their weight and despite the potential for higher maintenance costs to address issues like cracking or moisture absorption, the fire protection they offer makes them a valuable choice for homes at risk of wildfire damage. 

The architecture of your roof, including a simpler design with fewer recesses and regular maintenance, such as cleaning off flammable debris and trimming overhanging branches, are vital components of a comprehensive fire-defense strategy. Ensuring your roof coverings are made from noncombustible materials or treated with fire-retardant chemicals can significantly increase your home’s resilience against wildfires. By adopting these practices along with choosing fire-resistant underlayment and materials that have undergone rigorous testing – like the intermittent flame test to simulate exposure to burning debris – homeowners can significantly enhance their roof’s fire-resistance. 

Gunner services the western United States, utilizing fire-resistant materials such as GAF shingles to underscore the importance of a multilayered approach to fire prevention. Through the selection of appropriate roofing materials, adherence to fire-resistant design principles and diligent maintenance, homeowners can effectively reduce the risk of wildfire damage, ensuring their roof acts as a formidable barrier against the threat of fires. 

3 - Installing protective additions 

In addition to selecting the right materials and design for your roof, incorporating extra protective measures can significantly enhance your home’s defense against wildfires. Installing noncombustible gutter covers is a proactive step to prevent the accumulation of flammable debris in your gutters, which could otherwise ignite from airborne embers. For homes with open eaves, the use of fire stops is highly recommended. These devices block embers from entering the attic or crawl spaces, areas where fire can easily spread unseen. Furthermore, applying fire-retardant treatments to your roof can boost its fire-resistance. It’s important to note, however, that these treatments are not permanent solutions and may require periodic reapplication to maintain their effectiveness. Together, these additional measures form a comprehensive strategy to safeguard your home against the threat of wildfires. 

Embracing a fire-wise landscape 

Your landscaping can either fuel a fire or help defend your home. Opt for fire-resistant plants and materials and maintain a defensible space around your home. This space acts as a buffer, slowing or stopping the spread of fire to your home. It also provides a safe area for firefighters to work. 

• Zone 1 (0-5 feet from your house): Use nonflammable landscaping materials like gravel or stone. Avoid using mulch, which can easily ignite. 
• Zone 2 (5-30 feet from your house): Plant low-growing, fire-resistant plants and keep trees and shrubs well-pruned. 
• Zone 3 (30-100 feet from your house): Thin trees and create breaks in vegetation to disrupt the path of a wildfire. 

4 - Community and emergency preparedness 

Collaborating with your community enhances wildfire preparedness through collective efforts and resource sharing. Engaging in community programs that focus on reducing wildfire risks, such as communal cleanups and educational workshops, strengthens neighborhood safety. Additionally, creating a detailed emergency plan, including evacuation routes and a communication strategy, ensures that family members and neighbors are well-informed and ready to act in case of a wildfire. This collective approach not only improves individual household safety but also fosters a supportive and resilient community environment against wildfires. 

5 - Insurance and documentation 

Ensuring your homeowner’s insurance includes wildfire coverage is crucial for financial protection in wildfire-prone areas. It’s important to review your policy for comprehensive coverage that includes the structure and contents of your home as well as living expenses during repairs. To facilitate insurance claims, document and photograph your home and belongings, creating an inventory that details their value. Store these records securely, preferably in digital cloud storage or an off-site location, to safeguard them against loss or damage. This preparation simplifies the claims process, helping you recover and rebuild more efficiently after a wildfire. 

Conclusion 

As wildfire season intensifies across wildfire-prone states like California, Colorado, Arizona and Oregon, homeowners find a formidable partner in Gunner Roofing. By utilizing fire-resistant roofing materials, such as GAF asphalt shingles, Gunner helps fortify homes against the severe fire exposure characteristic of wildfires. These materials, known for their high fire rating and ability to withstand intense fire exposure without catching fire, are essential in crafting a fire-resistant roof deck that offers superior fire protection. 

Key to enhancing your home’s defense against wildfires is the selection of roofing materials that offer the best in fire-resistance. Metal roofs and clay tiles, for example, are celebrated for their ability to resist the high heat and flying embers typical of wildfires, acting as noncombustible materials that safeguard your attic space and roof structure. Additionally, fire-resistant underlayment and the application of fire-retardant chemicals to roofing materials such as synthetic roofing or composition shingles can significantly boost your roof’s ability to withstand light to moderate fire exposure. 

Yet it’s vital to recognize that while these strategies, from employing Class A fire-rated roofing materials to designing roofs to resist extreme heat, can drastically lower the risk of wildfire damage, they cannot offer complete immunity against the unpredictability of wildfires. Continuous vigilance, adaptation and a commitment to adopting these fire-safety practices are crucial. Gunner Roofing is dedicated to supporting homeowners in the western United States, ensuring that each roof – your home’s primary shield against wildfires – is optimally prepared for fire season. Together, embracing these comprehensive fire-resistance strategies ensures our homes, communities and families receive the highest level of protection possible against the threat of wildfires. 

Original article source: Gunner Roofing