How do I know if my cabin needs a roof inspection after a North Georgia storm?

If a storm brought hail larger than 1 inch or wind gusts above 60 mph, your roof should be inspected by a professional. Check NWS storm reports for your county. Even without a professional inspection, look for shingle granules in your gutters, visible missing shingles, or dented flashing. On metal roofs, hail leaves visible dents on exposed panels and can crack rubber washers around fastener screws.

What should I check on my deck after a severe thunderstorm?

Focus on the structural connections: ledger board, joist hangers, post bases, and railing connections. These are the failure points after wind loading. Push on every railing post and walk the full surface feeling for soft spots. Mountain decks on hillside lots take more wind load than ground-level decks and should be checked after every significant storm.

How often should gutters be cleaned on a North Georgia mountain cabin?

At minimum twice a year: once in late fall after leaf drop and once in early spring before storm season. Cabins under heavy pine canopy may need quarterly cleaning. Pine needles pack tighter than oak leaves and create a dam effect that's harder to spot from the ground. A clogged gutter during a heavy spring rain does more damage to fascia and siding than most owners realize.

What does hail damage look like on a metal roof vs. asphalt shingles?

On asphalt shingles, hail leaves dark circular marks where the granule layer has been knocked off, exposing the underlying mat. On metal roofs, you'll see visible dents, and the real damage is often at the fastener points where rubber washers crack from impact. Both types should be documented with close-up photos and reported to your insurance company promptly.

Can I wait until my next visit to check storm damage, or do I need a local inspector?

It depends on what the storm brought. For wind events under 50 mph with no hail, waiting for your next visit is usually fine. For confirmed hail, wind above 60 mph, or tornado warnings in your county, get someone on-site within 48 hours. Water intrusion through damaged roofing or flashing compounds daily. Mold can begin growing in 48 to 72 hours in humid mountain conditions.

What spring storm risks are specific to Blue Ridge and Ellijay cabins?

Blue Ridge (Fannin County) cabins face higher treefall risk from steep, heavily wooded lots. Ellijay (Gilmer County) cabins deal with river valley flooding and road access issues during heavy rain. Both areas experience the full spring severe weather window from March through May, with April being peak hail month per NWS Atlanta climatology data. The combination of altitude, heavy canopy, and remote access makes spring storm prep more critical here than in Metro Atlanta.

Spring Storm Prep Checklist for North Georgia Cabins