Peak hurricane season is just around the corner, and now is the time to prepare your roof for unpredictable weather. Hurricanes can cause significant damage to your home, as the high winds and heavy rains can stress the roof structure and components.
Before the next storm arrives, there are several steps you can take to fortify your home against hurricane roof damage. Our team of roofing experts have seen just about every type of roof damage you can imagine. The steps listed below are the measures we use on our own homes and recommend to our customers.
Inspect your roof
Your roof is the first line of defense against wind and water damage. As a result, it is critical to ensure that your roof is up to the task before the next hurricane. Make sure that your roof is in good condition and that there are no loose shingles, missing or damaged tiles, leaks, or other signs of wear and tear. If you don’t have roofing expertise or are not interested in climbing up on your roof to look for damage, please contact us. We offer free roof inspections and would be happy to make sure that your roof is functioning properly.
If you do spot damage, make sure to have it repaired as soon as possible. It doesn’t take a lot of damage for a roof to fail during a storm.
Reinforce your roof if necessary
In certain hurricane-prone areas of the country, all new home constructions must have reinforced roofs. However, many older homes still do not have proper reinforcement. If you have a home without reinforcement, consider adding hurricane ties or clips to your roof. These additions will help to ensure that your roof stays attached to the walls of your home, even in extreme winds.
Trim and clear surrounding trees
During a hurricane, overhanging trees can be a threat to your roof. High winds can snap branches and fell trees. You want to ensure that the trees and branches do not fall on your roof and cause damage. Luckily, the fix is relatively simple and just involves trimming all trees to keep them far away from your roof.
Clean your gutters and drains
Proper drainage is essential when it comes to keeping water out of your home. During a hurricane, debris in your gutters and drains can block proper water flow and lead to an accumulation of water on your roof. Water damage during a storm can be avoided simply by cleaning the debris from your gutters and drains before the arrival of heavy rain.
Don’t forget about personal safety
It’s easy to forget that the primary purpose of a home is to keep yourself and your family safe and protected from the elements. Ultimately, your family’s safety during a storm is the most critical consideration. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, developing an evacuation plan can be very helpful. The evacuation plan can save valuable time and allow your family to find a safe place to ride out the storm.
Suppose you have to be away from your home for an extended period of time during and after a storm. In that case, having an emergency kit filled with non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies can be invaluable. Be sure to keep the kit in a designated location so that it is easily accessible when it comes time to evacuate.
Roof damage during hurricane season is not a foregone conclusion. The above steps can help you limit or avoid hurricane roof damage altogether. Contact us today if you would like a free roof inspection or more detailed information on the steps you can take to protect your home from hurricane roof damage.