When is hurricane season?
The time of the year that causes all Floridians to start stocking up on supplies, organize the famous “hurricane parties,” and get ready to hunker down for some windy and rainy weather. Hurricane season for 2022 is right around the corner and officially begins June 1st. While some people may think they don’t need to prepare for hurricane season in Tampa, FL now because that is still months away, the long-time Floridians would tell you that it is never too early to start preparing, especially when it comes to protecting your home and family.
It is always recommended to begin preparing early because as we get closer to the official start of the season, contractors get busier, stores run out of supplies, and prices generally increase across the board. So in order to save you money, frustration, and time, don’t wait to prepare your home, and roof for hurricane season!
Why to prepare your roof for a hurricane
Your roof provides some of the best protection to you, your family, and your belongings during hurricane season. Not only does it shield you from the constant rains, but it protects you from falling debris. While most people think to shutter up their windows, which is important, checking their roof for potential weak spots or taking care of the surrounding trees is equally as important.
The last thing you’ll want in the middle of a hurricane is to find a leak running down your walls from shingles or tiles that were already damaged. And after the storm, you’ll likely have a long wait for a contractor to fix your roof since they are busy with so many others as well.
4 steps to begin preparing your roof for hurricane season
- Get an inspection
A roof inspection is actually a simple and affordable first step that can tell you everything you need to know in order to get ready for the 2022 hurricane season. Inspections of your roof involve a certified roofing contractor evaluating all structures of your roof. They’ll look at shingles, gutters, flashing, and often even go into the attic to look for areas of concern. The best case scenario is that the inspection finds nothing and you should be good to go for the rest of the hurricane season. If something is identified, then scheduling a repair or roof replacement is the next best step.
- Trim your trees
This might sound like a silly tip, but it is actually incredibly important! Large tree branches are one of the leading causes for damage to roofs during a hurricane. So if your home is surrounded by trees, it is very important to have an arborist help you clean them up. Removing dead trees and trimming overgrown trees will help keep your home safe during high winds and heavy rains. Most homeowners don’t think of this step until they are deep into hurricane season when these contractors are booked out for many weeks or months.
- Don’t put off repairs
Even small roof damage can lead to bigger damage if left untreated. Don’t put off repairing your roof any longer, even if it is just a few broken shingles. Your roof is only as strong as the weakest part, so if a broken shingle gets blown off during a hurricane, it compromises all the shingles around it, leading to a potential domino effect. Taking care of small problems now is the most affordable way to keep your roof in great condition.
- Consider a roof replacement
Often a last resort, but if your roof is over 15 years old, it may be time. This is especially true if you have not been keeping up with routine maintenance or inspections. Scheduling a roof replacement outside of hurricane season is the best approach, because you won’t have to worry about long wait times, higher prices, or even being stuck in the middle of a replacement during a huge hurricane! With a new roof, you’ll have peace of mind for the next two decades with proper maintenance.
Why Choose Stay Dry Roofing
Stay Dry Roofing has been serving the Tampa, FL area during hurricane season and year round for over 30 years. We know the struggles homeowners face during large hurricanes and want our neighbors and Bay Area families to feel safe and comfortable, even during this stressful season. Don’t let the 2022 hurricane season catch you by surprise! Schedule an inspection and evaluation of your roof today to find out what you need to do to keep your home and family safe this year and for years to come!
