Top Tips for a Hurricane-Proof Roof

Hurricanes are a deadly force that can rip your house apart in no time. They can do incredible amounts of damage to your roof, leading to potential water damage and other more serious issues.

In this article, we have put together eight Top Tips for a Hurricane-Proof Roof, there are some simple steps that you should take in order to help your roof withstand the storm.

What are the best ways to make your roof hurricane-proof?

Choose the Slope and Shape of Your Roof Wisely

The shape and slope of your roof are important determining factors in how well your roof will fare against a hurricane. You’ll want to choose something that can withstand the extreme winds you’ll face during a hurricane. The slopes should allow the wind to go up and around the roof instead of prying the roof off.

Your roof should have at least four sloped edges to keep it hurricane-proof. However, the best hurricane-proof roof is hexagon or octagon-shaped; these can withstand the wind better than homes with only a few panels.

Consider the Material of Your Roof

The material your roof is made from is just as important as the shape of your roof. If your area is prone to strong windstorms and hurricanes, then you may want to consider metal roofing for your home.

Metal roofs are some of the best types of roofs for withstanding hurricanes. Their paneling is secure, and if installed properly, is almost entirely waterproof. They are also so secure that they are unlikely to be blown off by heavy winds.

Regular Maintenance for a Hurricane-Proof Roof

No matter how high quality your roof is, you should still take the time to perform regular maintenance measures to ensure it is structurally sound. You should call a professional at least once a year to perform maintenance. That way, if your roof has sustained any damage that you were unaware of, it can be taken care of before a hurricane or a storm hits.

You can do regular maintenance yourself by inspecting your roof after heavy storms as well. If you notice that your roof is damaged, call your local roofer right away.

Hurricane Straps

Even with all of your prep work, there’s still a chance that your home could be at risk. Hurricane straps are a great way to secure your roof and your home’s foundation during a hurricane. There are various different types of hurricane straps that are installed in unique ways.

If you are considering installing hurricane straps on your home, it’s crucial that you talk to a professional before making the installation. They can guide you on what type of straps you should get and help you install them properly.

Inspect for Loose Shingles

Once you’ve given the underside of your roof an inspection, it’s time to get on top of the roof and look at the shingles. You’ll want to make sure that none of them are loose or damaged. The storm is likely to tear off any loose shingles, leaving your home unprotected and susceptible to damage. Therefore, inspecting for Loose Shingles is one of the most important top tips for a Hurricane-Proof Roof

Secure any loose shingles you find before the storm hits. That way, you’ll be less likely to experience damage.

If you are looking to replace the shingles on your roof, metal shingles are the best hurricane-proof roof shingles that you can look into. They are secure and can easily protect your home from water damage.

Study Your Insurance Policy

Unfortunately, you may be unable to prevent damage from a hurricane. You should thoroughly inspect your insurance policy to see what your coverage is. Some insurance policies don’t cover hurricane damage, so it’s crucial to look over your coverage before disaster strikes.

Our team strives to make the entire process as seamless and stress-free as possible. So, whenever you need professional support for roof damage or roof storm damage insurance claims, give us a call or book a Free Roofing Inspection.

Reinforce Your Roof to Make it a Hurricane-Proof Roof

For further protection, you can reinforce your roof from the inside. If you have an attic, you can inspect the underside of the roof for any holes or cracks. Try to determine if any spots seem fragile or damaged; these are the areas you’ll want to reinforce more heavily.

You should also inspect for mold or water damage. These areas are more likely to give way during a hurricane, which could lead to further damage during the storm.

Keep Your Yard Clean

While the condition of your roof is important, you should also keep your yard clean of anything that could cause damage. Make sure to trim any large branches from around your home; they could easily fall onto your roof and deal some serious damage.

If a storm is headed your way, you should also pick up any loose debris around your yard that could damage your roof. Even if your roof is fine on its own, any number of projectiles could damage it during the store.

Schedule an Inspection Before Hurricane Season

Once you’ve finished preparing your home and covered some, or all, of the Top tips for a Hurricane-Proof Roof, you should schedule an inspection with a professional. They can warn you about anything you missed and help you make important roof repairs before a storm takes your roof apart.

No matter how well you believe you’ve inspected your roof, you may still miss something. Roofers have a keen eye for detail and will be able to point out anything you missed so that your home won’t be at risk.

Protect Your Home following the Top Tips for a Hurricane-Proof Roof

Follow these top tips for a hurricane-proof roof and remember to give your roof a thorough inspection regularly to assess for damage. That way, you won’t be caught off guard if a storm hits. When in doubt, you should call a professional roofer for a second opinion.

Do you need help preparing your roof against hurricane damage?

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What Should You Do When You Need Emergency Roof Repair?

by Trinity Roofing | Storm Damage

Has the thought of a roof replacement got you down? Did your roof get into a fight with mother nature and lose?

Remember, all is not lost. If you need an emergency roof repair from hurricane damage or storm damage, there are steps you can take to make the process go smoothly.

You can even take steps right away to mitigate the damages and save yourself a lot of money and stress.

So don’t panic if hurricane damage has ravaged your roof! Sit down, read this guide, find out precisely what you should do and how to sort through the insurance mess!

What to Do First

The first thing you need to do is stay calm. You can’t sort anything out when you’re running around and panicking. Often the damage looks worse than it is.

Your next step is to protect your home as best you can and minimize damage to the inside of your home. Cover any holes in your main living areas with plastic tarps, and for more significant leaks, set up buckets to collect the water.

If there is a lot of water seeping from all areas of your roof, then it’s a good idea to find your breaker and switch the power off. You don’t want water getting into your electrical system, costing you even more money!

Now you can thoroughly assess the damage to your home and how safe it is to remain there. You may need to find somewhere safe to stay in the meantime.

And remember, if you’re not a professional roofer, don’t go up there trying to fix things by yourself. An emergency roof repair is a situation when you need to call a professional company that knows precisely what they’re doing.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Next, contact your insurance company and file an insurance claim. Most of the time, standard homeowner insurance policies will cover at least some roof damage caused by a storm.

You’ll need to talk to your insurance company about what your specific policy covers. Depending on the area you live in, you could pay a higher deductible.

A good thing to know is if your policy offers a hurricane deductible, it only applies if the National Hurricane Center declares a hurricane warning.

Don’t forget that insurance companies won’t cover all types of roof damage, and not all insurance companies will pay for a complete roof replacement. Some may only pay for a patch job or minor roof repairs.

Once you contact your insurance company, they’ll send out an insurance adjuster to perform a complete roof inspection.

Next, most insurance companies will ask you to get at least three estimates for a roof repair and a replacement cost.

Though sometimes, insurance companies will directly work with a company to make the repairs for you.

Choosing a Company for Roof Repairs

When it comes to your roof repairs, make sure you find a licensed residential roofing contractor.

Do your research. You want to avoid companies that pop up overnight after a major storm rolls through.

They’ll appear in neighborhoods and try to convince people they can offer inexpensive roof repairs. And once they get your deposit, they hit the road, never to be seen again.

While there are no national licensing requirements for roofing contractors in the US, individual states require roofing contractors to have a license. You can check out your state’s requirements here to get started.

Once you find three companies you like, take your research to Google. Find out what their past customers are saying about the quality of their work.

Now you’ve found a company you like, make a list of questions to ask like:

How long the company has been in business
If they have references or examples of their work
How much do they charge for an estimate
What their safety record is like
If they offer a way for you to terminate the contract

Don’t be afraid to ask all the questions you need to ask. A good roofing company won’t hesitate to explain everything thoroughly.

Your Roof Estimate

It’s also important to know what’s involved in a roof estimate. A knowledgeable roofing company will provide you a detailed estimate with information like:

The total cost, including materials, labor, permits, and cleanup and removal, should be listed clearly on the estimate.

A roof estimate should also list all payment information that clearly explains what your insurance company covers costs. Every payment detail should be included, from down payments and insurance payments to payment methods.

Next, it should include the estimated time it will take to complete the project. Keep in mind, though; this can change if more damage is found after the repairs begin.

An excellent company will list the materials and explain in detail what types of shingles, underlayment, and sealants are used. They’ll even include the types of fasteners, nails, and product brands too.

You should also see a complete description of the work they plan to do and what days the repairs will occur.

Warranty details are a must, so don’t sign any contracts without them. Usually, lifetime warranties offer the most coverage when the roof is still new, and the coverage decreases over time as your roof ages.

Finally, be sure to check for the company’s licensing and liability insurance information. This is important to remember as you want coverage in case any accidents or injuries occur.

Emergency Roof Repair

When you need an emergency roof repair from hurricane damage, then talk to the professionals at Trinity Roofing and Restoration.

For over ten years, Trinity Roofing and Restoration has provided roofing services in Houston, Texas.

So don’t let your roof repair problems get you down. We offer free exterior roof inspections and can guide you through the complicated insurance process.

Make sure you contact us today for a new and improved roof tomorrow!