In Florida, hurricane season is something you must think about and prepare for, whether you live along the coast or further inland. From high-speed winds and flying branches to pouring rain, how do you protect your roof from a hurricane?
There isn’t just one thing you can do to protect your roof from a hurricane. In fact, there are several protective measures you can take. Regular roof maintenance is an excellent first step, as well as installing hurricane straps. Checking for loose or damaged shingles, making sure your gutters are cleaned, and trimming any trees near your home are all essential actions to take. Prevention is key, so scheduling an inspection is a great way to be proactive and prepare well before a heavy storm arrives.
Here are five tips on how to protect your roof from a hurricane before the tropical winds descend in your area.
Make Sure You’re Doing Regular Maintenance
The first step to protecting your roof is to call a professional roofer and have them conduct regular maintenance several times throughout the year. Yes, this will cost money, but extensive roof repairs because of no maintenance will cost you even more. Even if you’re behind on scheduling these maintenance appointments, you still have time to give your roof some much-need attention.
They’ll inspect your roof, looking for any rusted nails or metal connections. Rust is an indicator that your roof is starting to wear out, meaning it could fall apart during a mild storm, and especially during a hurricane. They’ll also look for any loose or damaged shingles and replace them, as well as alert you to any other underlying issues that need addressing before they become bigger problems.
Check For Loose or Damaged Shingles
Before you hear that a heavy storm or hurricane is headed your way, check your roof for loose or damaged shingles. A loose shingle may not sound like a big deal, but it is. During a hurricane, loose and damaged shingles can be ripped from your roof, exposing it to large amounts of rainwater. If multiple shingles are missing, it increases the chances of water ponding on your roof and leaking into your home, which can cause issues with the building’s insulation and structure. Make sure each loose shingle is nailed down properly. If you have damaged shingles, replace them with new ones or call a professional to do so.
Make Sure Your Gutters Are Cleaned
This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s often overlooked. When your gutters are filled with lots of leaves and debris, rainwater has nowhere to go. These water pools form puddles on your roof instead of down to the ground through the gutter system. The longer the water stays there, the greater chance there is of it leaking into other parts of your home, like the building’s insulation, causing even more damage. We know it’s not your favorite task, but it’s important to periodically clean your gutters or have someone clean them out for you to prevent more significant destruction to your roof and to save you more time and money in the long run.
Trim Any Trees Near Your Home
It can be an advantage to have beautiful trees surrounding your home, but when it comes to hurricane season, it brings a slight disadvantage and adds another thing to check off your pre-hurricane checklist. When swept up by high winds, limbs become flying debris that can cause extra damage to your roof, along with all the extra water pouring from the sky.
Well before a storm, walk around your home and observe any trees close to your house, looking specifically for any broken or oversized limbs that might snap and fall onto your roof. If any trees look like they may be a potential hazard during hurricane season, have a professional trim them.
Schedule an Inspection
If you don’t have regular maintenance done to your roof, it’s even more important that you schedule an inspection. Preventative maintenance is the best way to keep your roof in the best condition. You can make regular inspections yourself, but having a professional eye look it over can save you time and ensure you don’t miss anything. You don’t want to deal with costly extensive repairs later on because you missed something crucial.
Don’t Wait To Protect Your Roof
From trimming trees to cleaning out your gutters, several preventative measures can be taken to protect your roof from a hurricane. Regular roof maintenance and inspections are two important steps you can take today, and we’re happy to assist you with all of your roofing needs. Contact our team at Janney Roofing, your Florida roofer, and request a free quote today.
Our professional roofing team is your one-stop shop for all roofing repairs, serving residential and multi-family properties across Florida, including Tampa and Orlando. So don’t wait for hurricane season to protect your roof. Give yourself a secure roof and peace of mind before the winds descend by contacting us today.