Florida Hurricanes And Your Roof: What You Need To Know
Hurricanes are imminent when you live on the coast of Florida. There are things homeowners can do throughout the year to make sure their roof stays in good condition and is strong to withstand hurricane-force winds for as long as possible.
The Jacksonville area is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms. A local news station wrote in an article on recent hurricane damage that, “Jacksonville’s coast faces the threat of a hurricane or tropical storm every year. It’s not if the next storm will hit, but when.”
That same local news station looked into the different roofs homeowners had during the 2004/2005 hurricane seasons. The article said, “Age and improper installation caused most roof failures in the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes.” The article goes into the different types of roofs and which materials faired better than others during high winds.
The winds created from tropical storms and hurricanes can cause a lot of damage to homes, creating a lot of need for roof repairs in Jacksonville, Fla. Cache Roofing, a leading company for roofing in Jacksonville, wants to help you prepare for the next hurricane.
Preparing Your Shingle Roof
Shingle roofs tend to have the most problems withstanding high winds.
Here are some things Cache Roofing suggests checking throughout the year to prevent shingles from flying off during high winds.
- Walk around your home and look for lifted shingles. Secure any lifted shingles down.
- Walk around your home a check for nail pops and fish mouths or any tenting. You want to make sure your shingles are laying properly and are nailed down properly.
- Keep your roof maintenance and cleaned throughout the year to prevent dirt and debris from getting underneath shingles. This can cause individual shingles to lift making them more prone to catching the wind.
- Check downspouts for proper water flow.
- Watch for trees and tree branches that may be at risk for falling on and damaging your roof.
Preparing Your Tile Roof
Tile roofs, when installed correctly, have fewer problems withstanding high winds. Concrete secured tiles also faired better than nailed on tiles, according to the Action News Jax article referenced above.
It’s important homeowners check for these things throughout the year to make sure their tile roof is ready for high winds and heavy rains.
- Check for any loose tiles and secure those tiles down.
- Keep your roof maintenance and cleaned throughout the year to prevent dirt and debris from building up underneath the tiles.
- Check downspouts for proper water flow.
- Watch for trees and tree branches that may be at risk for falling on and damaging your roof.
Preparing Your Metal Roof
Metal Roofs, when installed correctly, tend to fair the best during tropical and hurricane-force winds and rain. However, it’s still important to make sure your roof is properly maintained and cleaned through the year.
- Check for staining and debris piles, and have those areas cleaned.
- Check downspouts for proper water flow.
- Watch for trees and tree branches that may be at risk for falling on and damaging your roof.
- Check nails, screws and clips are attached securely to prevent wind from catching lifting up metal panels. If installed correctly, this shouldn’t be an issue.
“I encourage everyone to know what roofing material they have and to even have some extra supplies on hand. This can help roofers make repairs to a roof quickly,” Owner of Cache Roofing Cindy Paquet said.
With every roofing material, age affects performance. The longer any material bakes in the Florida sun, the weaker it gets. If you have an older roof, it may be worth getting a more in-depth roof inspection completed. Proper yearly roof maintenance and roof cleaning can enhance the life of your roof. That’s why Cache Roofing started its Worry-Free Roofing Program. This is to help you clean your roof properly and on a regular basis, plus inspect your roof periodically to catch any minor roofing repairs that otherwise would go unnoticed. Regular roof maintenance will help lengthen the life of your roof and will keep you prepared for the next Florida hurricane.