Is Your Roof Ready For Hurricane Season?

According to the National Hurricane Center the official hurricane season in the Atlantic began June 1st and ends November 30th. Most families here in Central Florida know they need to have certain supplies on hand in case of power outages, a supply of clean water and non-perishable food items at the minimum to last for at least 72 hours.

Homeowners have additional steps to the hurricane preparedness for their homes such as boarding up windows, having a generator and clearing their property of items around their homes like outdoor furnishings, etc. One of the things that most residents who own their homes need to consider is their roof is the first line of defense to the weather year round here in Central Florida from battling the intense heat, seasonal thunderstorms which can cause hail, gusting winds and torrential rain.

 

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Due to the prolonged exposure to these on going forces of nature, the roof of the home also needs to have a "check-up" every few years to make sure to catch any minor issues before they turn into severe damage which can be very costly over the course of time. Similar to a person having annual check-ups to find any health issues at the earliest stage possible, finding a small problem with the roof now and having it professionally repaired can add to the lifetime of your roof.

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (www.nrca.net) many times after hurricanes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms many "unprofessional contractors will try to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners".

Here are just a few tips for choosing a Professional Roofing Contractor from NRCA: (Note: a full list can be found at www.nrca.net)

(1) Make sure the contractor is licensed and/or bonded.
(2) Find a company with an established record of completed projects.
(3) Get a written proposal, with estimated costs, complete explanation of the work process, anticipated start and finish dates as well as payment procedures.
(4) Read and understand the roofing warranty and look for provisions that would void it.