Hurricanes and strong storms have the potential to create tremendous damage to your roof. With simple preparation, you can be one step ahead of approaching storms and help decrease the impact on your roof. Below is a list of easy, actionable items to complete to help avoid expensive roof repairs.
Remove or secure any loose equipment. Antennas, satellites, signage, vent stacks, HVAC, exhaust ventilators, and other rooftop units (RTUs) should be inspected before a hurricane or strong weather hits. Many times, these items can be ripped off the roof if not properly secured. Make sure all necessary precautions are taken to keep these items secured or removed from the roof until adverse weather is done. Ensure that all access panels, caps, and covers on your RTUs are securely in place. Make sure there are no screws or that parts are loose or missing. Don’t let the small size fool you! Items like antennas, signs, electrical covers, and loose screws can cause severe damage to the surrounding equipment and roof if they become unattached during a hurricane or strong storm.
Cover skylights. Skylights, windows, and any other glass features can cause major issues during a storm. Making sure these features are properly protected from flying debris is extremely important in preventing severe water entry from occurring should these be damaged during a storm.
Schedule an annual roof inspection. If a storm comes unexpectedly, it may be hard to quickly evaluate the roof. However, with the help of a yearly roof inspection, you’ll have documentation of its recent condition which can help easily determine what damage occurred with before and after photos. The intensity of a storm cannot be controlled, but having a regular inspection completed of your roofs will help eliminate costly surprises and allow you to prepare properly.
Clean drains and gutters of debris. Some interesting things can be found on rooftops including garbage (cardboard, bottles/cans, and plastic bags) plant/vegetation growth, and yes, even wildlife. Ensuring your roof is clean and clear of debris will help eliminate issues following a storm. By removing these items from the roof and keeping the drains and gutters clear, stormwater can easily escape the roof helping avoid costly issues related to ponding water. Keeping the roof clear of debris can also help avoid unnecessary overgrowth or infestations occurring after a storm.
Yes, this is a rooftop, not a swamp…
Organize insurance and warranty documents. Policy numbers should be readily available. Arranging these documents will allow you to optimize your time after a storm helping to improve your recovery time and allowing operations to get back and running quickly.
No matter the amount of preparation, Hurricanes and other strong storms can hit unexpectedly. However, taking the time to prepare for these unfortunate situations can help mitigate the impact these severe acts of weather can have. By ensuring you and your roof is ready for a storm at all times, the chance of surprise roof repairs decreases drastically, thus saving your organization time and money.
Written by
Joe Reeder
Client Advisor
joe.reeder@roofingsource.com
