Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 to November 30. It’s never too soon to start stocking up on essentials and preparing your home. This ensures you’re not rushing at the last minute if strong storms arrive earlier than expected. Your roof should be at the top of your to-do list. The structure is one of the primary means of protection for your home’s interior. Understanding what to look for and knowing what you should do if you spot damage are essential to its longevity.
Create a Roof Checklist in Spring
Although most roofing tasks should be left to the professionals, there are some safe options that homeowners can handle. Creating a roof checklist with the following tasks makes it easy to stay organized while you’re doing your self-inspection. Take notes during the process, writing down any potential issues that might be a cause for concern.
Check for Missing Shingles
Missing shingles can be a serious problem. For example, it may contribute to your roof deck rotting. Shingles sit on top of the underlayment, which is over your roof deck. When shingles are missing, the underlayment is exposed to the elements. If it gets damaged, that leaves the roof deck unprotected. Moisture could lead to wood rot and leaks into your home.
This creates another issue, as it could put your home at risk for mold growth. In Florida’s hot and humid conditions, mold could start growing within 24 to 48 hours. If this issue goes unnoticed, you could end up with a widespread mold problem.
One way to check for missing shingles is by looking at a distance from ground level. You may be able to spot the color discrepancies between shingles in place and missing ones. Looking out your windows is another method if you want to check a roof below you. Peek out to see if you can notice any missing shingles, but never go on the roof to check. That is best left to a professional. You should also walk around your property. Keep an eye out for shingles that flew off and landed in your yard.
Check Your Attic
Your attic could help you determine if you have roof damage. The most obvious sign is if you can see the blue sky through a ceiling hole that shouldn’t be there. Another clear indicator is if it’s raining and you see an active leak. Both situations require an emergency repair appointment. Additional signs include a sagging ceiling, peeling wallpaper, and discolored spots on the walls or ceiling. You may also notice what resembles a large water blister. Never attempt to “pop” it. Leave it as is so that one of our roofers can examine it and determine the best next steps.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
It might not seem like your gutters and downspouts have much to do with your roof. However, this system offers its own form of protection. When rain lands on your roof, much of it slides down to your gutters. It then flows through the downspout and away from your home’s foundation. When one or both are clogged with debris, it could cause water to back up underneath your roof’s material. If this happens, leaks, wood rot, mold, and various other problems can occur.
Cleaning out the gutters and downspouts on your own could be a daunting and unsafe task. It’s best to have professionals handle the task for you. They can clean out both the downspouts and gutters while checking for dents, holes, and other signs of damage. Additionally, they can install gutter guards, which could help prevent the situation from recurring.
Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
Booking a professional inspection with Lionheart Roofing is one of the best ways to determine the condition of your roof. Our experienced roofers can check your entire roof, including flashing and skylights, to look for signs of damage. If we spot any, we can assess the situation and determine whether the roof needs a repair or a replacement.
With proper care, roofs can last several decades. However, multiple factors affect longevity, including the maintenance frequency, the climate, and the roof’s material. For instance, slate roofs tend to last the longest, at 100+ years on average. Asphalt shingles usually last the least amount of time, typically between 15 and 30 years.
Consult With an Arborist
Consulting with a skilled arborist could help prevent significant damage to your roof during Florida’s storm season. If your property has mature trees that are close to your home, one of the heavy branches could snap off and land on your roof. The worst-case scenario is that it punctures your roof and hurts someone inside.
An arborist can assess your trees and determine if any branches are at risk of breaking off. They’ll also check the condition of your trees to see if they’re structurally sound and free of disease and other issues. If they suggest removing branches or cutting down trees for the safety of your home, it’s crucial to schedule an immediate appointment. Book it sooner rather than later so that you can have peace of mind when the next storm hits the area.
Take Pictures and Video
Taking pictures and video of your roof captures its appearance before this year’s storm season. While this is important for your own records, it’s also good to have available to provide to your homeowner’s insurance carrier if necessary. For safety purposes, take the images and video only from ground level.
Get an Aerial View
Operating a drone over your roof is a good method of determining if it has any damage. It allows you to get a closer look at areas you couldn’t safely capture in images and video. However, some drones offer the option of taking video and photos, which you should do if possible. If you choose to operate the drone, make sure you do so safely and in accordance with local laws.
How Soon Should I Schedule Repairs if I Notice a Problem?
Don’t wait to book repairs. Allowing minor problems to go unaddressed gives them time to worsen into severe, costly issues. This is especially problematic if there are already strong storms in the forecast. Addressing issues promptly helps protect your home, prevent mold growth, enhance efficiency, and safeguard your home’s structural integrity.
When Should I Conduct My Self-Inspection?
Perform your roof self-inspection in early spring. This leaves you with enough time to complete all the tasks on your list and still contact us for assistance if you spot signs of trouble. Appointment slots can fill up fast as it gets closer to the start of hurricane season. Securing your appointment early ensures we can get your roof in top shape as quickly as possible.
Get Prepared Now
Take steps today to prepare your roof for storm season. Lionheart Roofing in Valrico, FL, provides inspections, repairs, and other roofing services for residential homes.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment or book services online.
