Florida hurricane season officially begins on June 1, bringing with it the need for roof repairs for many homeowners whose roofs may be affected.

Fortunately, there is still some time to hire a roofing repair contractor experienced with hurricane damage to help prepare for the upcoming storm season.

Homeowners who follow these tips can minimize their need for roofing repair services by increasing their chances of getting through those storms with their roofs intact!

1. Schedule A Roofing Inspection

Before doing anything else, schedule a local roofing repair contractor to do a thorough inspection to determine the roofing condition and whether any vulnerabilities require attention.

Something as seemingly benign as a few broken shingles or a loose fastener on a metal roof can cause serious storm damage if the winds or rains are strong enough.

Roofing repair services may even recommend that older roofs that are dry rotted and brittle due to UV exposure or experiencing other damage be replaced before storm season to ensure the home is well-protected during turbulent storms.

2. Choose The Right Materials When Purchasing A New Roof

When replacing a roof in a storm-prone area, minimize future needs for roof repairs by choosing strong hurricane-proof materials.

Invest in highly-rated wind and impact-resistant shingles, metal roofing, and other durable materials that can withstand a hurricane’s forces.

Consider adding extra water barrier underlayment at this time to protect against heavy, windblown downpours.

3. Perform Necessary Roofing Maintenance and Repairs

After a detailed inspection by an experienced roofing repair contractor, schedule time for them to handle any required roofing maintenance to protect the good condition of the roof.

If any problems are found upon inspection, make those repairs a priority, as any unrepaired damage can become an invitation for serious hurricane damage once those high winds start blowing.

4. Install Hurricane Straps or Clips

Hurricane straps or clips are a worthwhile investment for Florida homes in regions that could be affected by hurricanes.

While hurricane straps are most commonly used on metal roofing to prevent blow-offs in high winds, hurricane clips or ties are also available for shingle-style roofs to provide additional support to the roof-to-wall attachment and reduce the possibility of a blow-off.

5. Get The Trees Trimmed

Often overlooked, trees that are close to a roof can cause significant damage requiring roof repairs from heavy branches falling or smaller windblown branches scraping and damaging the roofing material.

This problem can be minimized by pruning trees to keep them healthy and trimming them back and away from the roof.

Contact a professional arborist or tree trimmer to get the trees in shape before the storms come.

6. Clean and Repair Gutters and Downspouts

Clogged gutters in disrepair can contribute to hurricane damage by allowing water damage to occur.

To prevent this damage, homeowners should schedule a roofing repair service to thoroughly inspect and clean their gutters, replace any damaged hangers, and repair damaged downspouts to ensure water can flow freely throughout the system and away from the roof.

7. Review Homeowners Insurance Coverage

The best time to confirm that the roof is covered against storm damage by a homeowners insurance policy is before the seasonal storms start.

Review coverage details and limitations or add roofing coverage to the policy if it is not already included.

Some policies require coverage to be in effect a month or more before a claim can be made, so the sooner that coverage is confirmed, the more ready a Florida homeowner will be for this summer’s first bout of extreme weather.

Schedule Pre-Hurricane Preparations With A Skilled Roofer

Florida hurricanes can leave homeowners with severe damage requiring roof repair if they lack the right preparation.

While it is impossible to stop Mother Nature, hurricane damage roof repair contractors can help to make a roof as durable as it can be.

With prompt repairs for existing damage, proper maintenance by an experienced roofing repair service, and a few other tips, Florida homeowners will be ready to batten down the hatches and safely weather the upcoming storms this season!