How Do Hurricanes Affect the Life of Your Roof?

After an intense storm season and the devastating destruction of Hurricane Ian on parts of West Coast Florida, it’s safe to say you were lucky if your home did not experience significant damage. You might have taken extra precautions in protecting your home by boarding windows or sandbagging doors. But unfortunately, during the storm season, your roof stands alone and usually takes the most impact. As a homeowner, there isn’t much we can do for our roof during a storm, but there are ways to be proactive after a storm has hit by knowing exactly how a hurricane affects your roof.

It can be hard to understand the extent of damage after a storm, especially if a roof may look fine to an untrained eye. Still, hurricanes can cause hidden damages to your roof that can be detrimental during the next storm if not appropriately treated. The main devastators of your roof are all the factors that a hurricane brings when it comes to town: rain, wind, and debris.

How Rain Affects Your Roof: Roofs are installed to protect you from outdoor elements, especially rain, but that doesn’t mean they’re indestructible. Over time, if you do not have proper maintenance on your roof, heavy rain can cause damage, such as missing shingles or tiles, allowing water to seep into your home and causing severe damage not just to your roof but to the inside of your home.
How Wind Affects Your Roof: During a hurricane, a mixture of strong winds work together to cause your roof to deteriorate more quickly. You can lose tiles, gutters, and those strong winds can even rip off shingles easier than you think. There is even the possibility of structural damage to your roof if wind speeds are high enough.
How Debris Affects Your Roof: Shrubbery gets dislodged and thrown through the air during high windstorms. Most of the time, it just disrupts your landscaping, but with more severe storms, debris can damage your windows, siding, and roof. The larger the trees or bushes surrounding your home, the more your roof is at risk.

Even though your roof may look like it can handle a few more hurricanes, be safe, as there is not much you can do while that next storm has touched down. Regular roof inspections and maintenance are the best things to do for your roof life, especially following a big storm or hurricane. Even if the damage seems minor, hiring a professional is always safer than ignoring or attempting to fix the damage yourself. Need a roof inspection or maintenance after the major hurricane season? Call Certified Roofers & General Contractors, Inc. at (813) 643-8333 or request free quote.