Hurricane season in South Carolina officially began June 1 and will last until the end of November, but experts predict it will be at its peak in September. There’s still a good chance that a big storm will hit before the end of the season. Now is the time to prepare your home for severe weather, and the first place to start is your roof. Your roof is a big investment, and it’s one of the most vulnerable parts of your house. It’s not too late to take precautions to protect your roof from high winds and rain and keep roof damage to a minimum.
6 Steps To Prepare Your Roof for a Hurricane
- Get a roof inspection. Missing or damaged shingles or tiles provide a place for the wind and rain to lift up and penetrate the protective layers of your roof, causing greater damage to the coverings and allowing water to enter your home. A thorough inspection by a professional roofing contractor will locate any problems and facilitate the necessary repairs.
- Inspect your trees. Old or diseased trees around your home or those with limbs overhanging your house pose a serious risk to your roof and home during a hurricane. Overhanging limbs don’t have to break or fall off to damage your roof during high winds. Look for signs of disease or weakness in surrounding trees and have the suspect ones removed. Also have overhanging branches trimmed.
- Clean your gutters. Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause heavy rainfall to back up on your roof and get under the shingles, allowing water to enter your home. Check to make sure they’re securely attached so they don’t get torn off and become flying missiles.
- Stock up on tarps. After a storm hits, tarps will be in short supply as people make a run on the stores to buy them up. Make sure you have a sufficient number to cover your roof and outbuildings if you experience damage.
- Have hurricane straps installed. If your home is in an area that is especially at risk from severe storms, hurricane straps can be installed to give your roof some extra support against high winds. Your insurance company might even give you a discount on your premiums.
- Review your insurance policy. Make sure it offers comprehensive coverage for hurricane damage and what the deductibles are. After the storm is no time for financial surprises.
The team at Adams & Coe is always ready to help residents of Anderson, South Carolina, before and after a storm. Contact us whenever you need us.