Every year, we experience hurricanes in the Pensacola area. The roofs of homes and businesses are often vulnerable to these storms because they can’t withstand heavy wind or rain. This is why homeowners and business owners alike must consult their insurance company about getting storm coverage for their building’s roof to make repairs after a hurricane has done any damage. If you’re a homeowner with an older roof, you might want to consider upgrading your roofing system before hurricane season starts.
This blog post will provide information on how homeowners and business owners alike can prepare their roofs for hurricane season in Pensacola!
1. Check your roof for any leaks or damage
Suppose you’re planning to do any repairs on your roof before hurricane season; start by checking for any leaks or signs of damage. Suppose you notice that parts of your roofing system are missing, torn off, severely damaged, and/or dented in by a storm. In that case, it is highly recommended that these issues be addressed as soon as possible before hurricane season starts. Once the season ends, most insurance companies will not provide coverage for you to replace the missing or damaged portion of your roof because it was not maintained adequately before hurricane season.
2. Clean your roof with a power washer to remove dirt and debris
If you keep a clean roof, it will make repairs much easier and faster. This is why you should call an experienced roofing contractor to power wash your entire roof system before hurricane season starts. This will allow for all the dirt to be removed from your roof so that other repair processes can begin when needed.
If you don’t want to pay for a contractor, you can rent a power washer from your local hardware store in Pensacola. However, it is recommended that you schedule this activity with an experienced roofing contractor, even if it means paying more money than if you rented the power washer yourself.
3. Clear out the gutters to avoid clogs
Clearing your gutters of all debris and clogs will allow the rainwater to easily flow off your roof during a storm instead of forming large puddles on the ground. If you don’t have gutters, then it is recommended that you consider installing them before hurricane season starts. Gutters are pretty affordable and easy to install, so they are an excellent investment for your home or business in Pensacola.
4. Clean off leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your roof
Raking leaves and clearing debris from your roof will ensure that any storm debris does not get caught on the surface of your roof during a hurricane. Especially if a big storm moves through Pensacola and delivers damaged winds to roofs all over town, bark, pine needles, and other items will likely be blown up against your rooftop while you’re trying to get repairs done. All these items can cause leaks or other issues, so they must be removed for you to complete home improvement projects successfully.
5. Get a professional roof inspection before the hurricane season starts
If you want to make sure your roof is safe during hurricane season, then you should consider scheduling a professional inspection with an experienced roofing contractor. A good company will provide you with valuable information about the state of your current roof so that you can decide what repairs or replacements need to be made before the onset of hurricane season. This way, any necessary adjustments can be made before emergencies occur so that work can get done more efficiently and effectively without causing unwanted delays.
6. Replace any damaged shingles as soon as possible
If you notice that a few of your shingles are torn or missing, it is essential to replace them before the hurricane season starts. Most insurance companies will not cover damage caused by poor maintenance, so it’s best to make repairs as soon as possible and avoid paying higher premiums next year. If you keep damaged shingles on your roof, they can flake off during windy conditions, which could mean even more costly repairs when the season ends.
7. Consider installing storm shutters on windows in high-risk areas
If you live in an area that is at risk for strong winds or storm surge, then it’s important to invest in protective hurricane shutters. They will help keep your windows from being shattered by wind damage and can prevent any glass shards from flying into the building interior. Hurricane shutters are an excellent investment for anyone who lives near a shoreline, on high ground, or outside of town since they provide additional protection to main windows during hurricanes and storms.
8. If you live in an area prone to hail storms, consider adding a metal roof to protect against hail storm damage
A metal roof can help prevent hail storms in Pensacola from causing damage to your main home because it’s built with durable, impact-resistant materials. However, if you live in an area prone to strong winds and hail storms, it might be best to consider getting a hybrid type of roof that combines different materials. This way, your roof will have the strength and durability needed to resist both wind damage and storm debris like hailstones.
Conclusion
Hurricane season in Pensacola can be challenging for many homeowners, especially when it comes to roof maintenance. If you haven’t started preparing your home yet by checking the condition of your current roof or getting storm shutters installed on windows near risky areas, then now is a perfect time! This way, damages will be minimalized as much as possible and repairs made quickly! To ensure that all needs are met, and everything stays protected during hurricane season, consider scheduling an inspection with SF Roofing Pensacola before any storms start rolling through town.