How to know if your Roof is ready for a Hurricane

Preparing for a Hurricane is essential to keeping you and your family safe, this preparation is also essential to protect your important investments: your house and business.

During extreme weather incidents, the roof is one of the most vulnerable areas of a home. Roof cover damage is one of the most dangerous effects of a hurricane as even partial damage can leave the rest of your home vulnerable to wind, water and other elements.

With any type of roof, maintenance is integral to protecting your home. At US ROOFING Contractors located in Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah and Alabama, we give you a few simple precautions to help you make sure your roof is kept in optimal condition and ready for hurricane season:

1. Professional inspection:

Prevention is key. To maintain the strength and durability of your roof, ask a licensed roofing professional inspect your roof regularly. While you can always manually inspect your roof, a qualified roofing inspector can thoroughly examine it, identify areas of concern and provide you with a detailed report including roof life expectancy, pictures of your roof and repair estimates. Professional inspectors can also make hurricane preparedness recommendations based on your particular roof.

2. Install hurricane straps:

An added layer of protection from high winds, hurricane straps (also known as roof tie-downs) securely tie rafters to load bearing walls. Made of galvanized metal, they can attach to any type of roof, protecting it and the structure beneath, as well as keeping it from detaching and causing damage to nearby structures and objects. 

3. Add roof reinforcements:

Reinforcing your roof can decrease the likelihood of damage—particularly if your structure is located in a hurricane-prone area. Reinforcements can include overlapping sturdy materials on top of your roof, such as adding heavier metal panels or two-by-fours for added strength. When inspecting your roof, a professional roofing contractor can advise you on reinforcements suitable for your structure.

4. Trim your trees:

Trees that hang over your roof and near your home can be dangerous any time of year, but particularly during a hurricane. Falling tree limbs can cause severe damage to your roof and allow water into your structure, cause electrical issues, or even injure someone inside. Trimming your trees to keep them away from your roof is an easy way to prevent damage and injury.

5. Perform an interior inspection:

If there are issues with your roof, chances are that you will eventually see their damaging effects inside the structure. While it’s ideal to catch issues before they can be seen inside, always be on the lookout for spots and stains on the ceiling, peeling paint, damp areas and daylight seeping in—all of which are serious indicators of a compromised roof and should be addressed immediately.

At US ROOFING Contractors our commitment is to make you and your family feel safe! 

If you are in need of roofing or siding installation, roofing, siding or gutter services in the Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah or Alabama areas, please Call Us: (855) 877-6631 and visit us at  www.augustaroof.com for a free estimate.