IS YOUR ROOF READY?
Experts are suggesting that this Atlantic Hurricane season may be an abovenormal one so, don’t let your guard down. There’s much you can do now so you won’t get caught making last-minute and, probably inadequate moves to strengthen your home’s defenses against hurricanes. If you live near the coast, you don’t want to procrastinate about making sure your home is ready for the hurricane season. If you decide to prepare just before a big storm approaches, it may be too late then to protect your property from high winds and flying debris.
We know repairing or replacing your roof can be expensive as a result of hurricane damage. For this reason, it’s best to conduct regular and consistent checks by spending a few minutes every six months looking closely at your roof. This will help you to identify roof maintenance opportunities and prevent costly repairs later. It’s also important to periodically check your homeowners insurance to make sure that serious roof damage is covered by your policy. When a roof is roughed up by a hurricane: water gets in through gaps in the roof decking, and can cause the ceiling to collapse. If and when the roof caves in, this may cause damages to your furniture and other belongings that are why we suggest you take these roof precautions now before hurricane season revs up.
• Nail or seal loose roof tiles or shingles.
• On a metal roof, check for rust and loose anchoring.
• Install hurricane straps. (Consider hiring a licensed contractor to do this.)
• Brace gable ends. (Hire a professional.)
• Install a backup water barrier under the roof cover if necessary.
If you see any signs of leaking, like dark spots on the ceiling or any form of dampness in your ceiling, take action immediately. Roof leaks get worse, not better, and it’s better to spend a few dollars on roof maintenance rather than a lot on a big repair.
Here are some other roof maintenance tips: 1. sweep or blow off excess debris on the roof. Sticks, leaves and other debris can damage shingles and eventually clog the gutters. 2. Trim any branches that are hanging over the roof to prevent damage and keep cats and other pests away. Make sure you check now and ensure your roof is secure!