HURRICANE SEASON ROOF PREP
Use our guide to prepare your roof for the 2022 hurricane season with regular inspections, additional support, and specially designed roofing materials.
Is Your Roof Ready for Hurricane Season?
Spring is often the start of outdoor projects for many homeowners.
Pruning, mulching, planting, and tidying up flower beds are basic early chores, and maintenance tasks like re-staining decks and replacing edging quickly follow.
Homeowners that live along the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Pacific coastlines also need to safeguard their home and outdoor areas for the upcoming hurricane season.
What Causes Hurricanes?Hurricanes are formed when humid tropical air rises in an area of low pressure over the sun-warmed ocean.
The moist air is heavy with evaporated water, and once it reaches higher elevations, it condensates into clouds.
The clouds grow and form thunderstorms, some reforming again and again.
Eventually, the whole mass of clouds and winds starts to rotate due to the earth’s spin around a central core. Storm winds can be clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on whether the system is north or south of the equator.
Hurricanes will continue to strengthen if they can feed on warm moist ocean waters.
Once they move into cooler regions or over land, they typically start to weaken.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration categorize storms by their wind speed. Category 1 hurricanes have sustained wind speeds at or greater than 74 miles per hour. Hurricanes in category 5 can have sustained winds over 157 miles per hour and cause catastrophic damage.
Hurricane SafetyWhile hurricanes are a fact of life for homeowners living near or on the ocean, there are several strategies you can take to safeguard your home and family.
- Follow and obey evacuation orders.
- Create an emergency plan.
- Stock up on supplies.
- Plan for power outages.
- Prepare your home by shuttering windows, cleaning gutters and downspouts, stowing outdoor equipment and checking the sump pump.
Protecting Your Roof During a HurricaneWhether it’s a catastrophic hurricane or a powerful tropical depression, wind gusts, flying debris, and torrential downpours can cause significant damage to your home. Roofs are especially vulnerable, due to their exposed location and large surface area.
Should your home experience torn-off shingles, you run the risk of water infiltrating through the roof deck and into your walls and ceilings. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do ahead of time to make sure your home’s roof is ready for hurricane season.
Arrange for a Pre-Season InspectionYour home’s roof will have a better chance of making it through a severe storm unscathed if you take care of problem areas before bad weather arrives. Schedule a roof inspection prior to hurricane season to check for loose or cracked shingles and damaged flashing. This is also a good time to discuss ways to shore up your roof in case of strong winds.
Provide Added SupportIf you live in a region that’s prone to hurricanes, you might want to reinforce your roof’s frame. A professional roofing contractor can explain the pros and cons of various roof strengthening methods, such as:
- Braces
- Collar ties
- Strapping
Choose Quality Products During a hurricane, the winds created can cause a powerful uplift, capable of peeling shingles off the roof’s surface. Edges and eaves are especially vulnerable. Once your shingles are gone, the wind starts to work on your underlayment, and soon your roof becomes defenseless against the pounding rain.
Wind gusts can also carry objects, from tree branches to lawn furniture, turning them into projectiles that can damage shingles and tear off flashing. Look into these roofing solutions to help prepare for the upcoming 2022 hurricane season.
- Asphalt shingles. Make sure your roof is ready for hurricane season from the start by opting for strong, high-performing asphalt shingles.
- Asphalt cement.
- For added security, use asphalt cement under shingle tabs, on ridges, and the roof edges.
- Synthetic underlayment.
- Underlayment provides an additional layer of protection between the wood decking and the shingles, mainly to guard against wind-driven rain. Synthetic underlayment can help keep the elements out and remain securely attached to the roof decking should shingles tear off.
- Ice and Water Barriers.
- Ice & Water Barriers are designed to protect the roof where water tends to collect or flow, including valleys, vents, chimneys, and skylights. During a hurricane, the wind can drive rain in horizontal sheets.
- Self-adhered underlayment can help prevent water from penetrating the roof deck. In areas prone to hurricanes contractors may choose to apply WeatherLock® Ice and Water Barrier over the whole roof.
Be a Proactive HomeownerWhen it comes to hurricanes, being prepared is much better than reacting to an emergency. Keep your home hurricane-ready with regular inspections and reliable products designed to defend against wind gusts, driving rain, and flying debris.
Check into Potential Insurance DiscountsHomeowners who are proactive in protecting their homes may benefit from insurance discounts.
Some states even require insurance providers to offer discounts to homeowners who observe hurricane-related building codes.
Depending upon your insurance carrier, you may need to schedule a wind mitigation inspection.
During this assessment, a certified inspector will determine how well your home can potentially withstand strong winds.
They’ll look at the siding, windows, doors (especially the garage doors), and, of course, the roof.
If your home’s roof is starting to show signs of wear and tear or you would like a pre-hurricane season inspection, consult with an independent roofing contractor. They can discuss the benefits of repair vs. a total roof replacement and advise you on hurricane prevention strategies for your roof.
Call Richie Allen of Reliable Roofing
