Introduction
Hurricane season has officially begun, and it pays to be prepared! When a hurricane hits, your roof becomes your facility’s first line of defense—and potentially, its greatest vulnerability. High winds, heavy rain, and flying debris can wreak havoc on roofing systems, leading to costly damage, dangerous conditions, and prolonged downtime.
For facility owners and managers, preparing your roof before hurricane season is essential. In this blog, we break down 5 essential steps you should take to fortify your roofing systems against extreme weather.
1. Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection 🔍
Start with a comprehensive roof inspection. This inspection should assess:
- Membrane integrity: Look for blisters, punctures, tears, or open seams.
- Flashings and edges: Ensure all terminations, metal flashings, and edges are fully sealed and secure.
- Drainage systems: Check that all drains, gutters, and downspouts are unobstructed and functional.
Inspections should be documented with photos and detailed notes to establish a pre-storm condition record for insurance purposes.
2. Perform Preventive Maintenance & Repairs 🧰
Based on the inspection, complete all noted maintenance and repairs. Key action items might include:
- Seal or patch any roof membrane damage immediately.
- Secure loose flashing or coping that can be torn off by high winds.
- Reinforce rooftop HVAC units and penetrations (vents, skylights, etc.) with appropriate anchors or hurricane straps.
- Ensure walk pads are fastened securely to prevent uplift or displacement.
Every loose component on your roof is a potential projectile during a storm—eliminate vulnerabilities before they can be exposed.
3. Clear Debris and Eliminate Ponding Risks 🧹
Loose debris can block drains and become airborne hazards during storms. Before hurricane season:
- Remove leaves, branches, tools, trash, and other assorted loose materials from the rooftop.
- Check for low areas where water ponds—these may need additional drainage or insulation buildup.
- Ensure scuppers, downspouts, and drains are free of all obstructions.
A clean roof is a safer roof. Regular cleaning also improves the efficiency of your drainage system and prevents membrane degradation.
4. Document the Roof’s Condition Before the Storm 📷
Detailed pre-storm documentation is essential for insurance claims and disaster response.
- Take wide-angle and close-up photos of all sections of the roof, including flashings, mechanical units, skylights, and penetrations.
- Create a portfolio of inspection reports and invoices for any repairs or maintenance done.
- Store this information digitally and back it up to the cloud or secure offsite location.
This documentation will support your insurance claim should damage occur and help you quickly assess post-storm impacts.
5. Review Emergency Roofing Contacts and Response Plan 📞
When disaster strikes, time is of the essence. Before the season begins:
- Remember that RoofConnect offers 24/7 service, as well as emergency response crews and services.
- Create a rapid response plan for post-storm inspections and temporary repairs.
- Review insurance policies to understand your wind and water damage coverage.
Have your contractor’s contact information readily accessible to minimize downtime and secure tarping or temporary solutions quickly after a storm.
Don't Wait for the First Warning
Hurricane preparedness for facility roofs isn’t a reactive measure, it’s a preventive necessity. By taking these steps ahead of time, you not only reduce the risk of damage and liability but also preserve the long-term integrity of your asset and continuity of your operations.
Need Expert Help? Contact RoofConnect 🛠
Ensure your roof is hurricane-ready with help from the nation’s largest commercial roofing services provider. RoofConnect offers inspections, maintenance programs, emergency response services, and full-scale roofing solutions to keep your facility safe—before and after the storm. Contact us today!
Call – 877.942.5613
Email – information@roofconnect.com