Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. The time to fix a roof is before the cone shows up on the news. Here’s the checklist we give our clients.
Before the season
- Look up. Cracked, slipped or missing tiles and lifted shingles are entry points for wind and water.
- Check the flashing. Valleys, chimneys and pipe boots are the most common leak sources.
- Clear the drainage. Clogged gutters and scuppers send water under the roof edge.
- Trim the trees. Branches over the roof become projectiles and abrade the surface.
- Photograph everything now. Date-stamped photos make any future claim far easier.
Worth upgrading
- Secondary water barrier. A peel-and-stick membrane under the roof keeps water out even if the surface is breached. Required on new HVHZ roofs — and a lifesaver.
- Ring-shank / proper nailing pattern. How the deck is fastened to the trusses is what holds the roof on in design winds.
- Wind-mitigation inspection. Document your roof’s straps, deck attachment and covering. It can lower your premium — often enough to pay for the inspection many times over.
If a storm is coming
Don’t climb a wet roof. If you have an active leak, we offer same-day emergency tarping in Miami-Dade and Broward to stop the damage until it’s safe to do permanent repairs.
Want a pre-season roof inspection with an insurance-ready photo report? Schedule one here — it’s the cheapest insurance you’ll buy all year.
