When is Hurricane Season in Florida?
To start with, let’s discuss when you should be taking the following precautions to ensure your roof outlasts hurricane season.
If you live in Florida, then you know that every year, for five or six months between the beginning of June and the end of October or November is Hurricane season. Although not many hurricanes hit Florida head on, every year many tropical storms and hurricanes that come close to Florida create harsh winds, lots of rain, and the occasional roof damage to Florida homes.
Knowing how to prepare your roof for hurricane season, no matter the forecast, will help you be as prepared as possible and in many cases, taking the appropriate precautions can end up being a total life saver.
So, what should you do to prepare your roof for hurricane season?
How To Prepare Your Roof for Hurricane Season
Repair Your Roof if Needed
It goes without saying that come hurricane season, if your roof needs a repair it’s imperative that you get it repaired as soon as possible. Whether you are hit by a hurricane or not, throughout hurricane season Florida experiences very heavy weather that can cause roof leaks, rip off shingles, and cause other damage to your home due to a roof problem.
Leaving a roof un-repaired could lead to further roof damage and more costly repairs during very bad weather periods.
If you are not sure whether or not your roof needs a repair or have been wondering about it, it’s always safest to call a professional roofer to come and give you a roof inspection. Even if you don’t suspect any problems but haven’t had a roof inspection in 6-12 months, a quick roof inspection is a good idea to ensure your roof is ready. Inspecting many different areas of your roof, a roof inspection can confirm for you that your roof will hold or can spot problems that you may have not considered and in turn fix them so you, your family, and your home remain dry and safe during hurricane season.
Trim Any Nearby Trees
During hurricane season, heavy winds and rain can weigh down trees and cause them to crack or break, causing severe damage to your roof. In fact, one of the most common cases of roof damage we observe during hurricane season is fallen branches and trees. Come June, have a look at any trees near your roof or that hang over your roof and have them trimmed by a professional tree trimming service; unless you are equipped to cut and haul heavy branches, we do not suggest you do this on your own.
Continue Routine Maintenenance on Your Roof
While we advocate regular roof maintenance year round, roof maintenance in Florida is particularly important during hurricane season. After a heavy rain or storm, run routine maintenance on your roof to ensure everything is intact and that any signs of damage are immediately repaired. Repairing small roof problems ahead of time will save your more extensive and more costly roof repairs in the future.
Clean Your Gutters and Drains
The heavy wind and rain brought on by Florida’s hurricane season can create a lot of leaves and debris that in turn clog up your gutters and drains. Routinely cleaning your gutters and drains, regularly inspecting them, and keeping them free and clear of leaves, branches, and debris is very important during hurricane season.
The aftermath of damage caused by a tropical storm or hurricane can be pretty chaotic. Prior to hurricane season, ensure you have all your warranties and insurances up to date and all documents and papers in a safe place so that you can find them if needed. This includes appliances that may be damaged as a result of roof damage or direct damage caused by a storm. Read your insurance policies very carefully and if needed consult with your insurance agent to find out exactly what your policy covers as many Florida home policies do not cover water or flood damage caused by a storm or home damage caused by a hurricane.
Should a storm or hurricane cause damage to your roof or your home, be sure to document everything as much as possible including having before and after photos to hand.
If you have any questions or concerns as to whether or not your roof is prepared for hurricane season, No 1 home roofing offers free roof inspections and evaluation.