Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the ravaging winds and relentless rain of a hurricane. Unfortunately, once a hurricane watch is announced, you have dozens of tasks and countless details to handle, and there simply is not enough time or manpower to adequately shore up your roof. That’s why it’s critical to take steps to ready your roof before hurricane season begins.
If your home or roof is fairly new, your professional Charleston roofing contractor has probably already put some measures in place to ensure that your roof is able to weather a fierce hurricane. Whether protections are in place or not, however, it’s a good idea to perform a quick check of your roofing system now, before a hurricane is imminent.
Hurricane roof preparations are conducted both inside your home and outside, so pick a mild day for your inspection. In your attic, examine your trusses carefully. Your trusses support your entire roofing system, so they must be secured. If you’re not sure how to do this, refer to the American Red Cross and FEMA hurricane preparation booklet illustrating proper bracing methods. Once trusses are secured, add hurricane straps for extra support.
Now, inspect the underside of the roof deck where it is attached to your trusses. Look for evidence that the fastenings between the trusses and decking boards may be wearing.