Hurricane season in Florida can cause panic. You want to
protect your family, your home and property, and everything else you hold near
and dear. Concerning your property, the best way to ensure your home or
business is kept safe is to ensure your roof is hurricane ready. Keep reading
to learn more about preparing yourself and your home for hurricane season.
What kind of damage can a hurricane cause?
Wind Damage
It’s crazy how something you can’t even see can cause so much damage. Wind can wreak a ton of havoc on your roof. Hurricane force winds can cause damage in a number of ways:
- Blow off roof or roof accessories
- Throwing items onto your roof
- Ripping mounted hardware out of your roof
Water Damage
Where there are strong winds, water and hail are likely to
be close behind. Where the wind can cause damage to your roof system, there are
vulnerable areas for water to enter your home. This water can cause issues with
your building insulation, structure, and your property inside.
How to Prepare for Hurricane Season
Schedule an Inspection
If you are in a hurricane-prone area, yearly roof
inspections are a must. Having a knowledgeable roofing contractor inspect your
roof before hurricane season will ensure that there are no issues that a
hurricane may make worse. Before hurricane season is the best time to have a
contractor perform repairs and double check the integrity of your roof.
Your roofing contractor will look at the following areas of
your roof:
- Membrane – ensure there are no rips, punctures, holes or effects of aging.
- Flashings – ensure all flashings are correctly attached and sealed.
- Mounted Equipment – ensure the penetrations are properly sealed and that the equipment is securely attached.
- Gutters/Downspouts – ensure all gutters, drains, and downspouts are properly attached and flowing to the proper location.
To be even more safe, you can schedule two annual
inspections: one before and one after hurricane season.
Trim Nearby Trees
Strong winds of a hurricane can destroy buildings and throw cars across town, so definitely don’t trust low hanging branches that are near your property.
When you reach May or June, right before hurricane season,
take a walk around your property and identify dead, broken or oversized trees
and tree branches. These can easily be blown off during a storm and cause major
damage.
Clear Gutters and Drains
We discussed the damage that can come from water during and
after a hurricane. Cleaning and making sure your gutters are clear is essential
because your gutter system takes water from your roof system down to the
ground.
If your gutters are clogged, the backed-up water will sit on
your roof, and the probability of water sneaking into your home will increase.
Water can cause just as much damage as wind, equally as expensive and time
consuming to repair.
Continue with Regular Maintenance
A maintenance program is a great way to be proactive with
your roof system. Having a roofing contractor keep up the maintenance of your
roof is one of the best ways to ensure that your roof is ready to keep your
home and business safe from incoming hurricanes.
Regular maintenance can catch preliminary roof issues before
they get worse, saving you money in the long run!
Keep Up to Date with Insurance and Warranties
When a hurricane passes through your area, it can be chaotic
in the aftermath. You can be a step ahead for your peace of mind by having all
of your documentation prepared and in a safe and easily accessible place.
Document to keep track of:
- Any applicable warranties
- Insurance documentation
- Any before photos
- Contact information for contractors, insurance agents and
other key contacts
When hurricane season comes, protecting your loved ones is the most important. With a thought-out and well-implemented preparation plan, you don’t have to think twice about your roof during a hurricane! A big piece of that plan is having a roofing company you can rely on. Johnson Roofing Solutions team provides free estimates AND financing to homes and businesses across the panhandle of Florida. We have offices in Panama City, Chipley and Graceville with our service area expanding from Tallahassee to Pensacola. We are fully licensed and insured, family owned and operated and prepared to take on any roofing project from minor repairs to complete replacements or even new construction. Contact us today and let us be your solution!
