How to Prepare Your Roof for a Hurricane

Are you prepared for a hurricane? One of the most important things you can do is to make sure your roof is in good condition. In this post, we’ll show you how to prepare your roof for a hurricane and what to do if damage occurs. Stay safe this hurricane season!

1. Schedule a Roof Inspection

As any homeowner knows, hurricane season can be a stressful time. Strong winds and heavy rain can cause serious damage to your home, and even a small leak can lead to costly repairs. That’s why it’s so important to get your roof inspected before the hurricane season begins. A qualified inspector will be able to identify any weak points or potential problems, allowing you to schedule repairs before the bad weather hits. In addition, an inspection can also help you spot any loose tiles or shingles, which can become projectiles in high winds. By taking the time to get your roof inspected, you can help protect your home from the ravages of hurricane season.

2. Hurricane-Proofing Your Yard

Anything in your yard that could become airborne during a hurricane, such as lawn furniture, grills, or toys, needs to be secured. These items can become projectiles during high winds and cause serious damage to your home. The first step is to secure all yard objects. This includes things like lawn furniture, grills, and toys. If these items are not securely anchored, they can become airborne during high winds and cause serious damage to your home or even injuries to people nearby. To secure these items, you can either bring them inside your home or tie them down with ropes or straps.

3. Have Any Loose Shingles or Tiles Repaired

As any homeowner knows, the roof is one of the most important components of a house. Not only does it provide protection from the elements, but it also helps to keep the structure of the house intact. However, during a hurricane, the roof can be one of the weakest points of a house. Loose shingles and tiles can come loose and become projectiles, causing damage to other parts of the house or even injuring people. In addition, once shingles and tiles are loose, the roof is no longer effective at protecting the interior of the house from wind and water damage. As a result, it is essential to have any loose shingles or tiles fixed before hurricane season begins. By taking this simple precaution, you can help to reduce the amount of damage that your home sustains during a hurricane.

4. Trim Your Trees Before Hurricane Season

Trimming your trees may seem like a tedious task, but it’s important to do if you want to protect your home from storm damage. Loose branches can break off and fly into your windows, causing them to shatter. They can also fall on your roof and cause serious damage. By trimming your trees before hurricane season, you can help prevent this type of damage from occurring.

How to Trim Your Trees

If you’re not sure how to trim your trees, don’t worry – it’s not as difficult as it sounds. Just follow these simple steps: 

1. Start by removing any dead or broken branches. These are the most likely to break off during a storm.
2. Next, cut back any branches that are hanging over your roof or windows. These are also more likely to cause damage if they break off during a high wind. 
3. Finally, prune back any branches that are rubbing against each other or crossing over each other. These can rub together and break during a storm, so it’s best to trim them back before the hurricane season begins.

5. Have Tarps Available

One of the most common uses for a tarp during hurricane season is to cover your roof. If you have shingles or tiles on your roof, a tarp can provide an extra layer of protection between them and the elements. A tarp can also be used to cover equipment, sheds, pools, and swingsets.

High-quality tarps can also protect against impact damage and are made with tear-resistant materials. This makes them a good option for covering windows that may have leaks or pre-existing cracks. If you’re worried about flying debris during a storm, a tarp can also be used as a first line of defense.  Tarps can be found around Central Florida at Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, Walmart or other stores.

6. Clean your gutters and downspouts

As we all know, hurricanes can cause a lot of damage. But did you know that clogged gutters can actually exacerbate that damage? Here’s how it works: when heavy rains fall, the water has nowhere to go but up—and that’s when problems start. If your gutters are clogged, water will back up under your shingles, leading to leaks and water damage. In addition, the weight of all that water can actually cause your gutters to pull away from your roof, which can lead to even more serious damage. So it’s important to make sure that your gutters are clear before a hurricane hits. 

Preparation is key to keeping your family safe during a hurricane. Make sure you have all of the supplies you need and follow these tips to secure your home. Even if you take all of the necessary precautions, there is always a chance that your house will be damaged in a hurricane. Be prepared for the worst by having insurance and working with a qualified contractor to rebuild any damage that may occur. If your roof is damaged during a hurricane, be sure to contact Heart of Florida Roofing.