With the Texas hurricane season approaching, is your roofing ready for it?
If it is not, this is the time to batten down the hatches and call a roofer to make the necessary repairs or improvements to help it withstand those strong, destructive winds and the torrential rains.
Use this checklist to make sure roofs are ready for the hurricanes so you have the best chance of getting through free of damage!
1. Clean The Gutters
Clogged gutters can be a hazard during hurricanes that bring heavy rains.
When the gutters are unable to drain and remain filled with water, the shingle edges and even the roof decking could end up submerged.
Roofing that absorbs water this way could suffer rot and other problems later on.
2. Prune Close By Trees
Trees can do a lot of damage to a roof during a storm.
Spring and fall are the best times to have them pruned and loose or dead branches removed.
By cutting back trees close to the roof and removing dangerous limbs, there is less of a chance of tree damage happening during a hurricane.
3. Schedule An Inspection
Rather than assume everything is fine, schedule a professional inspection with a roofer every year in the early spring before hurricane season arrives.
If any damage is discovered, get repairs done right away so the roof is in its best condition in time for the heavy rains and winds.
4. Fix Loose Shingles
Re-attach loose shingles to prevent them from becoming an access point for the wind to get underneath and tear off entire sections of shingles.
Do this either by adding a few roofing nails or sticking it down with roofing cement so it is well-adhered to the shingles around it.
5. Check The Flashing
Loose flashing is another weak point on the roof that could make it predisposed to damage during a hurricane.
Check for gaps around flashing that could allow wind to enter and tear it off, opening up seams and protrusions to exposure to the rain.
Nail, screw, or seal as needed to attach flashing more securely to prevent it from being affected by wind.
5. Reinforce The Rafters
A little roofer trick for literally holding the roof on tighter is to reinforce rafters and trusses from the underside, inside the attic.
Apply a bead of construction cement to both sides of the rafters and trusses where they meet the decking to make the decking more windproof.
You can also reduce the possibility of gusts or pressure changes blowing the decking off by keeping all windows in the building tightly closed during hurricanes.
6. Install Hurricane Clips
Hurricane clips or roof tie-downs add strength to the trusses and rafters where they connect to the walls.
Clips or tie downs connect the roofing framework more securely to the tops of the walls to prevent the entire roofing structure from being blown off.
Get Ready For Hurricane Season Now With These Great Tips
If you live in an area of Georgia that gets frequent hurricanes, roof damage is common for those who don’t take a few extra steps to prevent it.
Though most of these tips fall under general roofing maintenance, consider the others if your location sees many or very strong storms.
A local roofer experienced in these preparations can help you out!
