Hurricane season comes around every year, and unless you live far from water, you have a lot of things that may get damaged the next time Mr. or Mrs. Destruction comes around. As you get prepared for a hurricane, you throw as many things into your home that you can possibly think of in hopes of protecting it. After things get started and the storm has set in you know you will probably end up playing board games for the next three days. So what happens if you lose your roof? I’m sure games will certainly be the last thing on your mind. Here are a few things you can check on your roof to help fight the harsh conditions of hurricanes and what you can do to fix them if you need to.
Most homes built close to the water today have certain building codes due to the forever chance of a hurricane, especially in Florida. Looking into hurricane straps may be a good first step in preparing your roof for hurricanes. Hurricane straps come in many shapes, sizes, and gauges. They are one of the most important installations a roof needs to have it be Hurricane safe. Hence the name, Hurricane Straps. Check and make sure you have Hurricane straps inside your attic. You can find these metal fasteners on the outside edges of your home connecting the trusses to the tops of your walls. Like I said a lot of homes already have hurricane straps but people neglect to check if they were properly installed or if they have loosened over time. A small flashlight and a trip in the attic will let you know.
If your home is always in the path of one of those spiraling headaches or you’re tired of picking up shingles out of the yard, check to see if you have Hurricane rated shingles. Your shingles are the first line of defense of a hurricane and when they go it doesn’t take long for the rest to follow. This type of investment of course would be a good one at that. Not only would it help with the structural integrity of your home but is also known to lower your homeowners insurance after switching your roof top. A little research for material preference will let you know different options and prices that are available.
If you have the option of building your home, look into hip roofs. This provides a less wind resistant surface and allows the wind to pass by with less strain on the structure. If the hip roof doesn’t appeal to you, you can check in which direction the wind normally blows in your area and position the pitch of your roof to raise the wind like a wedge. This is a much better move than letting the gable of your home catch all the wind. Wind forces against your gables are most likely to cause your roof to fold over like dominoes set up in a pattern and then ultimately blow away.
A lot of things can be done to help protect your roof from hurricane damage. Most people hardly think about the structural advantages and disadvantages of their roof in a hurricane. These are only a few options to help you get started, but to better understand what you may need, contact your local professional and get their opinion. Whether you need only a few things covered or you’re starting from scratch, it’s always worth knowing.