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ASK ROOFER >>MINIMIZE STORM DAMAGE
Preparing Your Roof for a Hurricane
While we haven't had many hurricanes over the past several years the possibility of a hurricane does exist each and every year between the beginning of June and the end of November. Back in 2004, when we had a particularly active hurricane season, many of us were caught off guard with roofing systems and building envelopes that were not up to par and that could not withstand the high winds and driving rain that a hurricane produces. As such, the damage in South Florida was extreme, in the many billions, and many people lost their possessions, memories and keepsakes.
Today, roofing code is more stringent than ever and that has been a great help in avoiding similar damage. However, for those of us who have older roofing systems, we may not be aware of the damage they can because by general wear and tear along with the excessive heat that we experienced over the summer months. For example, if a roof is not properly ventilated, it can cook from the inside. No matter how well installed, the underlayment beneath the shingles or tile (a water barrier) can break down and allow moisture to start seeping in. Similarly, while a poorly installed roof may look just fine penetrations can form as cheaper materials begin to fail.
The most important thing to do now or at any point through the year is to have a full inspection of your roof and building envelope system. While this will not catch every minor problem, it may find one or two deficiencies that if corrected, can either extend the life of your roof or save you from a significant breach during a high wind or heavy rain event. Hiring a licensed roofer to perform this inspection can help you find problems before they become serious and over the years could save thousands of dollars in replacement cost and damage your home.
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