Florida is the Sunshine State, but it’s also home to spring storms that can damage your roof. Wind-blown singles, leaks, and even missing roof patches are common problems with homeowners after a strong spring storm.
You can’t stop the weather, sometimes it’s hard enough trying to predict it, but you can take steps to get your Florida roof ready for the storm season.
How to Protect Your Roof from Spring Storm Damage
You can’t completely protect your roof from spring storm damage, but you can take steps to get it ready for any weather. Here’s what you can do to prevent or minimize damage from spring rain and hailstorms.
Cover Any Cracks and Holes in the Roof
All roofs develop cracks and small holes over time. It’s unnoticeable now, but it will change when the spring rainstorms start. It’s not hard to find the problem areas, especially under the guidance of a professional roofer.
The project is a little time-consuming, but you’ll be glad you did the repairs when your roof doesn’t leak.
Replace Your Shingles
If you have any loose or missing shingles, now’s the time to replace them. It will prevent mold, mildew, and other problems associated with water damage, along with more extensive roof repairs.
When shingles are missing, it allows rain to leak inside. If enough of the roof is loose or missing, you have a greater risk of losing more shingles. Taking care of the problem now is cheaper than replacing the roof and cleaning up the mess from the leaks.
Have Your Gutters Inspected
You can inspect and clean out your gutters yourself. It’s a messy but necessary job. You want to keep your gutters clear of debris to allow rainwater to flow freely. Backed-up gutters can separate from the home. Water can also seep into the house.
Gutters should be cleaned in the fall and rechecked in the spring. You also want to make sure they are still firmly attached to the house. You don’t want your gutters blowing away in a spring storm.
Inspect the Roof’s Flashing
Spring storm damage often involves roof flashing. Flashings are the small metal pieces that provide a watertight seal around the chimney and vents.
You want to inspect your flashing for two reasons. One is to prevent leaks if the flashing is loose. The second is to stop loose flashing from damaging the roof if it’s blowing in strong winds.
Prune Trees and Bushes
A common cause of spring storm damage is due to falling broken limbs and branches. Winter freezes, and old growth can weaken and kill tree limbs.
When the temperatures start to warm up, take a look around your property. Are there any limbs or branches close to your roof or power lines? If so, it’s time to trim them back. You also want to trim back bushes, especially taller shrubs close to the house.
Secure Outdoor Furniture
Your patio set and other lawn furniture can be a liability in a spring storm. Even a lightweight lawn chair can do significant damage if a storm tosses it at the house.
Moving your outdoor furniture inside anytime there’s bad weather is an option, but there’s an easier one. Securing your outdoor furniture and décor is more manageable than moving it indoors. You can weigh lightweight furniture down with heavy items or use a rope or chain.
The goal is to prevent your lawn chairs from damaging your home.
Upgrade to Storm Windows
Spring storm damage not only happens to your roof but also to your windows. Broken window panes allow water and debris in ruining carpets and other items. You also have to worry about glass shards.
Storm windows are designed to withstand strong winds, reducing your risk for damage. The windows also have other benefits. Some insurance carriers offer discounts to homeowners with storm windows.
The windows are energy-efficient, which means lower utility bills during steamy Florida summers. With other benefits that include blocking UV rays and reducing outside noise, upgrading your windows is a cost-effective way to minimize spring storm damage.
Protect Your Roof From Spring Storm Damage with Code Engineered Systems
It’s time to get your roof ready for spring storms. It means inspecting the flashing, shingles, and gutters, along with making any replacements or repairs. It can be a big job for a homeowner.
At Code Engineered Systems, we have experience with all types of residential and commercial roofing in the Tampa Bay area. Schedule a free consultation today before you’re dealing with spring storm damage.
