Storm season in Florida only lasts from June 1 to November 30- the most active part of the season is August and September. However, at Florida Commercial Roofing and Construction, it’s on our mind all year long.
We know that natural disasters are part of life, and we want to help you make sure that your commercial roof is ready in case a storm does come in. As a business owner, it’s important that you make sure that your roof is ready before the storm and- if a storm does damage your roof, you need someone to repair the damage for you.
In this article, we’ll explain tips for preparing your roof for storm season in Florida.
4 Steps to Prepare Your Roof for Storm Season
When you think about severe weather in Florida, you probably think about things like tropical storms and hurricanes. However, even a severe thunderstorm can cause roof damage. Here are 4 steps to prepare your roof for storm season.
Schedule a Professional Commercial Roof Inspection
The very first step in ensuring your commercial roof is prepared for storm season is to schedule an inspection. A professional commercial roof inspection can find the most common roof issues, including cracking on asphalt roofs, premature granule loss, puddling due to clogged drainage components, and more. It can also detect any issues due to improper repairs done or materials used in the past. Plus, scheduling regular inspections and maintenance on your commercial roof can keep your warranty valid.
Schedule Maintenance and Repairs Prior to the Storm Season
If the roof inspection finds areas of your commercial roof that is excessively worn, prematurely degraded, repairs done improperly, or a roof that has gone beyond it’s useful life- you need to have those problems taken care of. If you have done all of the required maintenance on your commercial roof and it’s in good condition, it is more likely to withstand high winds, rain, and hail that come with the storms.
Properly Secure All Equipment on Your Commercial Roof
Most of the time, mechanical systems, such as HVAC, vents, and fan units are located on the roof of commercial buildings. It’s also common to find rooftop antennas and satellite dishes as well. It’s important to make sure that all of this equipment is properly secured or it could loosen or fly off during a storm, which increases your risk of damage to the roof, which may require repair or replacement of the mechanical system as well as the roof itself.
Have Storm Damage Repaired Immediately
Once the storm has passed, you need to schedule a roof inspection to determine if the roof sustained any damage from the storm. Having an inspection done immediately following the storm can help locate any other issues, such as water puddling or cracks/holes/tears in the roof, missing shingles/tiles, or gaps where the roofing material has become dislodged. If there is damage, an inspection will give you the information you need for your insurance company to have the damage repaired.
Conclusion
As a business owner, part of maintaining your business is ensuring that the building is in good shape- which includes the roof. It’s important to take care of this before storm season comes, so you’re prepared. At Florida Commercial Roofing and Construction, we can help you take care of all of your commercial roofing needs.