If you are a homeowner in Florida, then you know that the hurricane season can get rough at times. There are a lot of things that can end up damaging your home during a hurricane, from the strong hurricane winds to the debris that the winds kick up to the torrential downpours. There are a lot of ways to prepare your home for the hurricane season, but one part of your home you should pay special attention to is the roof. Your roof is the first line of defense against the elements, which means that you should do what you can in order to prepare it for the potential force of any oncoming hurricanes. The following are five tips to help you prepare your roof for the upcoming hurricane season:
Have Your Roof Professionally Inspected
Making sure your roof is inspected at least once a year is very important. You’ll want to make sure that your roof is in good shape. Any issues that your roof has are going to worsen during a hurricane, thereby only making your home more vulnerable to the elements. The following are a few of the issues that a roof inspector will look for:
- Broken or damaged shingles – Shingles that are broken or damaged are more likely to become completely detached during a hurricane. They also leave the underlayment exposed to both wind and rain, increasing the chances that your roof is damaged even more or that your roof will begin leaking.
- Dents – Dents in the roof can lead to water pooling. When water pools, it will weaken the roof and potentially lead to leaks, which will damage the structure of your home as well as potentially damage the possessions within your home.
- Detached metal connections – Any bolt connections that are detached or loosened need to be tightened to protect against the force of hurricane winds.
Have Your Gutters Cleared
It’s important that your gutters are completely clear before hurricane season begins, so make sure that you have all dirt and debris cleaned out. Not keeping your gutters clear could lead to a blockage. If your gutters are blocked, then rain water can build up and seep into your home. Backed up water can also weaken the gutter system, making it easier for hurricane-force winds to rip it from your home.
Add Wind Resistant Straps
Have a professional roofer install wind resistant fasteners and metal straps to your roof to prevent hurricane winds from lifting the roof off the home.
Trim Nearby Tree Branches
You need to make sure that there are no tree branches nearby your roof. You don’t want these branches to break off during a hurricane and fall onto your roof as this can cause major damage. You may want to consider removing any trees that are too close to your home as well.
Replace the Roof if Needed
If you have an older roof that has several issues, you may want to consider investing in having it completely replaced. You can have your current roof tested to make sure it can withstand hurricane force winds – if it doesn’t, you should strongly consider investing in a roof that will in order to improve the safety and security of your home.
Hurricane season is almost upon us, which means you should begin preparing your home in order to ensure the safety of both your home and your family.
