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Hurricane season 2019 runs from June 1 through November 30th, with more frequent hurricanes in the late summer months. While many residents accept that this is just part of living in a coastal region, hurricane-force winds can be strong enough to detach the roof from the mainframe and cause other long-lasting damage. Luckily, there are many ways you can protect your home:
Professional Roof Inspection
Contact Hercules Roofing and learn about our comprehensive inspection program. One of our qualified roofing inspectors will inspect your roof’s interior conditions as well as any moisture damage that can lead to major issues if left unaddressed. Our professional team will also check for loose tiles or shingles, along with leaks or cracked caulk. From there, you will be given a detailed report after the inspection is finished. The report may include recommendations, the life expectancy of your roof and cost of repairs.
Clean Your Gutter and Drainage Systems
You may also consider hiring a handyman or roofing professional to help you clean your gutters and drainage system. Maintaining these areas of your home can play a major role in reducing storm damage. The goal should be to remove all debris from the drainage systems and ensure that the gutters are clear for rainwater to flow easily.
Install Hurricane Straps
Florida law requires homeowners to install hurricane metal straps or roof tie-downs securely in many cases. These sturdy metal straps keep your roof in place in the face of high winds. They also protect your roof from causing damage to nearby structures and objects. The straps used for residential roofing usually have less than a half-inch gap from the truss. For this reason, it is crucial to have roofing inspector check their condition and make sure they are properly installed.
Check for the Solidity of Gable Ends
The gable ends of your roof structure receive more exposure to high winds, which make them vulnerable to the damage that high winds can cause. Be sure to have your roof inspector check their strength and whether or not they are properly protected.
Are you building your home from scratch? Maybe you’re thinking about replacing your current home’s roof? We know there are a few options to consider in the whole process… but we don’t want you to spend too much time worrying about the specifics! We went ahead and explained a bit about the life expectancy for both tile and shingle roofs, and why you would want either one!
Tile Roofing
How long is a lifetime? Many lifetime tile roofs are guaranteed for 50 years, but depending on what type of climate you live in, the weather near you, or even naturally occurring events such as hurricanes or hail, your roof’s life expectancy may be cut down. When dealing with tile roofs, there are two main parts; the clay or concrete tiles and the underlayment and flashings. Often times, the underlayment is done with lower quality materials, affecting the total life expectancy of the roof.
The best thing you could do to get real longevity out of your roof is to make sure that your roofer uses the highest quality materials available to them. Standard roof underlayment has a life expectancy of about 25 years, though houses in the desert may have a few less due to extreme temperature conditions. On the contrary, coastal houses have been found to have underlayments lasting around 30 years. The threat of deterioration due to weather will always be there, but at least you can rest knowing that your roof was made to a higher standard and will last.
Shingle Roofing
Shingle roofing, similar to tile roofing, has a long life expectancy but changes greatly depending on the quality and type of materials you choose. Simpler, and cheaper, shingles can last from 15-20 years, but if you choose to use more modern synthetic alternatives, you can usually get about 25-30 years out of them.
Depending on the weather conditions and climate that your home is exposed to, the shingles can show signs of age faster than this. Excessive heat, extreme weather conditions, and even just the shape or orientation of your roof can still affect how long your shingles will actually last. But just remember, whether you’re constructing your home or just replacing your roof, make sure to choose the best quality materials available. It may end up being a little bit more costly but the guarantee that comes along with it is absolutely priceless.
Spring cleaning—you either live for it or live to avoid it. This is the time of year when you clean out your closets and scrub what you’ve neglected all year so you can start fresh during the springtime. One of the things that people often forget—or choose to forget—is cleaning their roof. To make it manageable, follow these three tips when it comes to tackling your roof during spring cleaning.
1. Check for discolored streaks.
Discolored streaks on a shingle can often indicate the growth of mold or fungi. To avoid these stubborn stains from eating away at your roof, a quick treatment of chlorine bleach or copper sulfate solution can kill the mold. To do this, simply use a garden sprayer to treat the discolored areas and NEVER power wash your shingle roof as the water pressure is much too strong and will loosen shingles far before their time. If you do have your tile roof power washed, give us a call to inspect for any broken tiles.
2. Cut back your trees.
Trees are beautiful additions to landscape, but they can wreak havoc on your roof. To start, trim back tree limbs that are touching the roof or close to touching it. Tree limbs can scratch at your shingles and cause them to prematurely loosen, shortening the lifespan of your roof. Cutting back your trees will also reduce moss growth by allowing sunlight to dry your roof, preventing the buildup of moisture. To treat existing moss, avoid buying chemicals because the runoff will kill your landscaping; instead, nail zinc or copper strips to the ridgeline to create an environment where moss can’t grow.
3. Inspect for any damages.
For more severe damage, such as missing shingles and chimney damage, make sure to hire a contractor to uncover these issues. Keeping up with roof maintenance will help avoid serious damage in the future, leading to a longer-lasting roof and a happier you! Here at Hercules Roofing, we will take care of the inspections for you before a real emergency happens.
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