Living in Fort Lauderdale offers endless perks, such as sunshine, beach days, and tropical breezes. However, it also comes with a harsh reality: hurricanes and tropical storms. Protecting your roof is vital for safeguarding your home during storm season.
Since your roof is your first line of defense against extreme weather, taking a few proactive steps can make all the difference in preventing costly repairs and ensuring your family’s safety. Here’s how to prepare your roof for Fort Lauderdale’s unpredictable weather.
1. Start With a Professional Roof Inspection
Regular inspections can identify vulnerabilities in your roof. In South Florida, where heavy rains and hurricane-force winds are common, even small issues can quickly escalate into major problems during a storm.
Before storm season arrives, you want a professional to inspect the shingles. You shouldn’t have any missing, cracked, or curling ones. Once damaged, wind can easily lift them or allow water to penetrate your home.
Also, check the metal flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights. Loose or damaged flashing creates weak points for water infiltration.
Another place to examine is the roof decking. Look for signs of sagging or water damage. If any are found, they could indicate structural weaknesses. Finally, don’t forget about seals and caulking. These keep out rain and debris, and you want to make sure they are watertight.
2. Choose the Right Storm-Resistant Roofing Materials
When replacing or upgrading your roof, you may want to choose materials designed to withstand South Florida’s tropical storms.
One of the first materials you want to use is impact-resistant shingles. These Class-4 shingles are tested to handle flying debris and resist cracking or breaking under pressure. If you are looking to upgrade your roof, consider changing the material. Metal roofing is lightweight and durable. It can withstand hurricane-force winds and resist corrosion from salty coastal air.
Another option in Fort Lauderdale is concrete or clay tiles. These are known for their durability and ability to withstand high winds. However, they must be properly secured to avoid becoming dangerous projectiles during a storm. Make sure your chosen materials comply with the city’s strict building codes. These codes require roofing to withstand winds of at least 150 mph.
3. Clear and Maintain Your Gutters
In Fort Lauderdale, sudden downpours are common. For that reason, you want to ensure your gutters can stand up to the challenge of protecting your roof and foundation.
Clogged or damaged gutters can cause water to pool on your roof, leading to leaks and structural damage. To keep them in top shape, you need to conduct some maintenance. First, you may want to hire someone to remove debris. At least twice a year, you should clean out leaves, twigs, and dirt from gutters and downspouts before storm season.
A professional team will also inspect for damages and look for cracks, rust, or loose fasteners that could compromise your gutters’ effectiveness. This might be a good time to have them install gutter guards that can reduce debris buildup and make maintenance easier.
4. Trim Overhanging Trees
Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful palm trees and lush greenery can create serious risks to your roof during a storm. Strong winds can cause branches to snap. As a result, they can puncture shingles or even collapse sections of the roof. With that in mind, you will want to regularly inspect trees near your home for signs of rot or decay. Any weak or dead branches should be removed immediately. By trimming back branches that overhang your roof, you can reduce the risk of damage during high winds.
5. Reinforce Roof Edges
The edges of your roof are vulnerable during high winds. If not properly secured, the winds can lift shingles and underlayment during a storm. Having a professional install metal drip edges along the perimeter of your roof helps protect these weak points. They create a stronger barrier against wind and water.
Additionally, you will want to make sure that shingles extend beyond the roofline and are properly fastened. This small adjustment can make a big difference in preventing wind from peeling back layers of your roof.
6. Add a Secondary Water Barrier
Even the most secure roof can suffer damage during a severe storm. A secondary water barrier protects against leaks by preventing water from seeping into your home if your shingles are compromised. This is important in Fort Lauderdale, especially when heavy rains often accompany hurricanes.
This waterproof adhesive layer can be directly added to the roof decking beneath your shingles. A professional roofer will focus on areas prone to leaks, such as valleys, ridges, and around vents. With that extra layer, any water infiltration is minimized, and you can reduce the risk of interior damage.
7. Install Impact-Resistant Skylights
Many Fort Lauderdale homes feature skylights. Unfortunately, these spots are vulnerable to breakage during hurricanes. You might want to consider replacing standard skylights with impact-resistant models. This can reduce the risk of glass shattering and water entering your home. If you are looking for added protection, install hurricane shutters over the skylights.
8. Boost Your Attic Ventilation
Proper attic ventilation is often overlooked. However, it can help to have a professional stormproof your roof. Without adequate airflow, pressure can build up inside your home during bad weather, increasing the likelihood of roof damage. You may want them to install soffit vents to allow cool air to enter the attic. Also, ridge vents can release warm, humid air. A well-ventilated attic not only helps during storms but also prolongs the lifespan of your roof by preventing moisture buildup and mold.
9. Reinforce Your Roof With Hurricane Straps
Hurricane straps are important for Fort Lauderdale homes. These metal connectors attach your roof to the walls of your home. They make sure everything stays in place even during high winds. Retrofitting hurricane straps can reduce the risk of roof uplift, which is a common cause of catastrophic damage during hurricanes.
If your home was built before the current building codes required hurricane straps, you will want a licensed contractor to install them. This small investment can make a huge difference in protecting your home during a major storm.
Your Roof Protection Experts
When you live in Fort Lauderdale or its surrounding areas, you want to have a reliable, quality roofing company you can count on to make sure your roof is ready for whatever inclement weather comes your way. At Action Roofing, we’ve served the Fort Lauderdale region for nearly 40 years. We are a local and family-owned business, and our team of professional roofers know the challenges of living in a coastal area. Whether you need a roof inspection, repairs, periodic maintenance, or a full roof replacement, we are here to make sure your roof stands strong against storms as well as the sun.
We offer flexible payment options and are state-certified. Give us a call today to set up an appointment!
