We find ourselves, again, in hurricane season. For the 8th time in the last 10 years, meteorologists are planning for an above-average hurricane season.
What does that mean?
It means that we will see more than the average number of hurricanes form in the Atlantic Ocean this year between June 1 and November 30.
NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association expects there to be between 13 to 20 named storms this season. That means there is an increased chance that one or more of them will visit millions of homes across the South and East of the United States.
What a hurricane means to your roof
A hurricane involves sustained winds of more than 75 miles per hour. Sometimes these can be sustained for hours at a time as a hurricane brushes by. Sometimes, depending on the location of the home and the speed of the hurricane, it can mean days of sustained winds, blowing debris, falling trees, and torrential rain.
A hurricane is the ultimate test for your roof.
If there is a hurricane on the way and you are worried about your roof, it’s too late to do much about your roof. The time to get ready for a hurricane is long before there is ever a chance that one will show up in your town.
Here’s what you need to do to get ready, well in advance:
1. Get your roof professionally installed.
There are some household chores you can trust out to a local handyman. Need to hang drywall? Sure, hire it out. Need to hang shelves? Recruit a neighborhood kid to help you. But your roof requires a licensed, professional installer. Roofers learn the details of various kinds of roofs, and understand how to address underlying issues that weaken a roof or make even new shingles ineffective.
2. Get your roof professionally inspected
If your roof is already installed, and you have not had it inspected in the past 3 to 5 years, it is time for a new professional inspection. The inspector will use a detailed checklist and years of training and experience to make sure your roof was securely installed and will protect your house even in severe weather.
3. If you live in a hurricane-prone location, use appropriate materials
Hurricanes are far more likely in some parts of the world than others, so responsible homeowners plan ahead. You can do the same. Licensed roofers can help make sure your joists are properly secured and that you’ve used the right types of shingles and adhesives and do even more to make sure your roof survives if a hurricane takes direct aim.
Make sure you’re ready today.
