How to Protect Your Roof from a Hurricane
- Fix loose, damaged, and wear and tear areas. Secure loose shingles and tiles with caulk, nails, cement, or screws so...
- Check the attic. The attic contains the lowest part of the roof. Check this area for ventilation, eaves, soffits, and...
- Trim tree limbs and branches. Tree branches and limbs hanging over the roof are prone to...
Full Answer
What is the best way to protect your home from hurricanes?
But for the best home security in a hurricane, you should definitely take pictures of expensive items like electronics in your home and keep notes of their serial numbers. “It will aid with your insurance company if anything needs to be replaced.
Should you tape windows to protect them from Hurricane force winds?
Although you may see people taping windows, that does absolutely nothing to ensure your safety in hurricane force winds. Banta says sticking to hurricane shelters or plywood is the only way to go when it comes to protecting those points of entry in hurricane conditions.
When do you need to evacuate from a hurricane?
In the case of incredibly strong hurricanes or for people living in low-lying coastal areas, it may be necessary to evacuate your home. At the beginning of hurricane season, create a checklist of exactly what you need if you have to pack up your important items to dodge the storm.
Do you get enough warning before a hurricane hits?
While hurricanes can be incredibly destructive, the good news is you generally get plenty of warning before one hits the area. Here are 10 ways you can beef up your home security in hurricane weather, even if you need to evacuate.
What to do if you notice damage to your roof?
If you notice damage to your roof following a storm, it is important to call your insurance company quickly. You’ll want to book an insurance assessor soon after the storm so they can determine how much damage is covered. With the guidance of your insurance company, you can choose a roofing company to perform your inspection. Here at Perimeter Roofing, we offer free roof inspections to homeowners in the North Atlanta area and around Nashville, TN. Our experienced roof inspectors can explain your damages and recommend options for roof repair and replacement. Learn more about our residential roof repair services on our Roof Repair page or contact us at the location nearest to you!
What does it mean when shingles are upturned?
See if any shingles have upturned corners or cracks, meaning they can no longer protect your roof properly.
Why is it important to prepare your roof for a storm?
Preparing your roof before the storm even reaches your home is the most important step to minimizing roof damage. That is why you should always stay updated on local weather reports, especially when they mention hurricane warnings and thunderstorms. If you know when a storm is coming, you can complete the steps below to make sure your roof is in the best shape to weather the storm.
Why do you need to clean gutters?
Clean your gutters so water runoff from your roof will be unobstructed. If your gutters are full, it could cause water to collect on your roof, leading to leaks or damage.
How to prepare for a power outage?
Be prepared for a power outage by ensuring you have flashlights with new batteries somewhere easy to find.
What can be a hazard during a hurricane?
Remove or secure anything that could become a hazard during high winds. Patio furniture, children’s toys, and yard equipment can become projectiles during a hurricane or major thunderstorm. Not only could they damage your roof, but they could also break windows or scrap your home’s siding.
How to keep rafters and trusses together?
Along the same lines, you're going to want to reinforce your rafters and/or trusses to make sure they stay on when the wind and tree branches start to fly fast and onto your roof. A bead of construction adhesive on the rafters and trusses where they join with the roof deck will help everything stay together when the house is under the most stress.
What is flashing in a hurricane?
Flashing is what keeps the rain out so in a hurricane, naturally, you want to make sure your flashing is completely effective and in good condition. Flashing can be spotted as metal sheathing where a roof feature like a chimney, window, or vent intersects with the weatherproofing of the roof. If there are gaps in your flashing or it looks like it might be decaying, have a professional patch, reinforce, reseal, or replace your flashing to keep you safe and dry during the next hurricane.
What to do if hurricanes take your roof?
If you believe there is a chance that the next round of hurricanes could take your roof or do significant damage that might result in a full replacement, the best thing you can do now before those tropical winds pick up is to secure your roof today. Here are a few tips on how to get started or what to ask of your local roofing service.
What are hurricane clips?
These sheets of strategically twisted metal connect to the beams of your roof and the tops of the walls, ensuring that your roof can't be picked up by the overhang and simply flipped off your house like flipping open a canister of mini M&Ms.
Can you get your roof secured for a hurricane?
While most roof preparation steps can be performed DIY at home, getting your roof completely secured for Hurricane season requires more than just nailing down a few loose shingles. We highly recommend calling for a professional inspection and roofing team to take a close look at the current state of your roof and make recommendations for how to reinforce for your next hurricane season. For more roofing tips and advice, contact us today!
Do all shingles have the same life?
Not all shingles are completely uniform. Even if they were manufactured the same and put on the same roof, each shingle lives a unique life that can cause it to hold steady or blow away like confetti at a children's birthday party. One of the keys to holding onto your shingles is to make sure each of them is nailed down properly and that no weak shingles are left in place before the big storm. Shingles that have come loose or are no longer securely nailed should be re-nailed or replaced completely with a fresh shingle.
Why are carbon monoxide detectors important?
Carbon monoxide detectors are especially important in hurricane conditions. In power outages, many people use generators to keep power running to their refrigerators or other parts of their home. But running a generator inside can be deadly. That’s because like an automobile, a generator gives off carbon monoxide.
How to keep water out of your house?
Fill your sandbags and line them around any doors leading into your home. Because doors are only inches from the ground, they will likely be the first place water seeps in during heavy rain. Sandbags will be able to effectively keep stormwater out in many cases. Any stormwater that is kept out of your home is stormwater ...
What are the effects of hurricanes on homes?
Hurricanes cause conditions that wipe out power, flood homes and even start fires. If you’ve invested in environmental sensors for your home like a carbon monoxide detector, smoke detector or leak sensors, examine them to make sure they’re working.
What to do when a hurricane hits?
Trim trees, especially dead limbs, to prevent them from becoming projectiles. You should also round up any patio furniture, children’s toys or anything else that could fly through a window and cause damage during a hurricane. Making sure nothing is loose in your yard is important for you and your home’s safety when it comes to hurricane force winds.
What to do when your home is flooded?
Scan important items on to a flash drive. When there’s a chance your home could be flooded, that means anything from your birth certificate to insurance documents could get ruined. Scan anything you consider important onto a flash drive and make you know where that flash drive is located in case you have to evacuate.
What to do if you think you have to evacuate?
Do a home security check up . If you have professional monitoring, it’s worth telling your security company if you think you may have to evacuate. That way the company knows if any alarm goes off, you are not present in or around the home and authorities should be notified right away.
What to put in a safe?
Here are some items you may think about placing in a safe, whether it’s a portable safe or an environmentally-proofed safe within your home: 1 Family heirlooms and photographs 2 Jewelry 3 Medications 4 Flash drive with important documents scanned 5 Small electronics 6 Passport
