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5 Ways To Prepare Your Roof For Hurricane Season
Coast house beachfront waterfront vacation home, house during evening sunset with nobody in Florida, gulf of mexico, storm weather and wind palm trees
Hurricane season is something that no one likes to think about; however, it is something we must consider. Natural disasters can happen at any moment, and when they are in season, they strike more frequently. Hurricane season is a time when hurricanes are most prevalent, and during that time frame, hurricanes strike at any time.
Hurricane season officially began on June 1 and will end on November 30. Typically, the season peaks around late August through September. However, from the start of the season to the end, hurricanes are possible.
A natural disaster (like a hurricane) can be scary, and if you’re not prepared, you can put your home, environment, and family in danger. Hurricanes are powerful, dangerous storms that impact the areas susceptible to them. When it comes to hurricane season and Florida, some areas are more prone to hurricanes than others. Areas like Northwest Florida and Southwest Florida are more prone to hurricanes, while Inland Florida is least prone. Even for an area like Inland Florida, it is important to prepare for hurricanes, as it is better to be safe than sorry.
When it comes to hurricanes, even if the rains and tree branches do not affect your roof, there is a good chance high-speed winds will. So, hurricanes are something that should not be taken lightly.
Storm damaged roof on house with a blue plastic tarp over hole in the shingles and rooftop.
With hurricane season underway and the potential damages hurricane are capable of, now is an excellent time to reinforce your roof in preparation for any disasters. Here are five tips to prepare your roof for this year’s hurricane season. The following tips can help get you started, or things to ask of your local roofing service.
1.) Consult a Professional Roofing Company for Advice
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, consulting a professional roofing company is also a must. Or, it is at least something that should be considered. If you know of any knowledgeable roofing contractors in your area, try reaching out to them. Having an experienced, knowledgeable contractor inspect your roof will help ensure that there are no issues on your roof that a hurricane can make worse. It is best to have your contractor inspect your roof before hurricane season, as they can repair any issues before hurricane season arrives. With hurricane season underway, and not at its peak, there is still time to get advice from a contractor.
A roofing contractor will look at areas such as the membrane, flashings, mounted equipment, and gutters/downspouts. They will check for rips, punctures, holes or effects of aging in the membrane, ensuring that all flashings are correctly attached and sealed, ensuring that the penetrations are properly sealed and that the equipment is securely attached, and all gutters drains, and downspouts properly attached and flowing to the proper location.
Professional roofing companies are knowledgeable and know what it takes to ensure that your roof is in good condition/prepared for any possible damage during a storm. Reaching out to a roofing contractor for advice or an evaluation could benefit you in the long run.
2.) Check Your Attic
As hurricane season is underway, it is a good idea to check your attic by doing a walk-through of the area to inspect ventilation and look for any loose or compromised areas such as your eaves, soffits, and gable vents. This is also an opportunity to check for any signs of water intrusion (such as stains, damp wood, and moist insulation). If there are any issues within your attic, it is important to take care of them as soon as possible, and in turn, ensure that rains from a hurricane do not get into your attic and cause more damage.
3.) Inspect and Replace Any Shingles
Shingles are essential to your roof as they help protect your roof from environmental damage. However, even they can take significant damage. When your shingles are damaged, it can lead to bigger problems, including problems within the home. Missing shingles can expose your home’s structure, and as mentioned in a previous post, stormwater could already be seeping in. It is important to inspect your shingles, and if necessary, replace them.
Modern shingles (such as ones made of asphalt) can protect against strong winds, but older ones may not be able to take strong winds. It is also essential to consider that not all shingles are uniform. This means that regardless if they were manufactured the same and put on the same roof, each shingle is different and may receive damage. One way to ensure that your shingles are held in place is to make sure each of them is nailed down properly. It is also important to make sure that no weak shingles are left in place before the storm. Any shingles that have come loose or are not secured with a nail should be re-nailed or replaced with new ones.
If any shingles are still in reasonably good shape (does not need a new nail or loose), a line of roofing cement around the edge should hold it much more tightly. This should be done if you are still worried about any fairly good shingles coming up.
4.) Construction Adhesive on Rafters and Trusses
Another thing to consider is reinforcing your rafters and trusses. This is important as you want to make sure that they stay on when high-winds occur and also when tree branches start to fly (and hit your roof). Using a bead of construction adhesive on these areas (where they join with the roof deck), can help everything stay together, especially during a time with extreme conditions.
5.) Hurricane Clips or Tie-Downs
Hurricanes can cause significant damage to your roof, but what if you fear that it can take away your roof completely? Well, there is a possible solution. You can use hurricane clips to try to ensure that your roof does not fly away. Hurricane clips are sheets of twisted metal that connect to the beams of your roof, as well as the top of your walls. Their job is to ensure that your roof is secure and cannot be picked up by the overhang. So, it is something to consider when preparing for hurricane season.
These tips are all ways to help us prepare for hurricane season and are mostly DIY tasks. However, it is still beneficial to reach out to a constructor to ensure that your roof is prepared for potential hurricanes. Reach out to Timothy Parks Roofing & Construction Inc to prepare for hurricane season. Call us at (407) 901-7380 or visit us at http://www.tproco.com
