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Hurricane Tips From Your Tampa Roofing Contractor: Aftermath (Part 2)

Every year, commercial property owners dread hurricane season here in Tampa — specifically during peak hurricane season, which lasts from late August through the end of September.

Hurricanes can cause massive commercial roof damage, which can not only be expensive to repair or replace but can force businesses to temporarily shut down. Once a hurricane has come through your area, you’ll want to do a visual inspection of your property to determine if your commercial roof has experienced any damage.

Inspecting a Commercial Roof After a Hurricane

Safety should be your number one priority. This means that if your property experienced flooding, do not go inside unless the electricity has been turned off. Additionally, do not go up on your roof to look for damage. Even if it looks like it’s in good condition, it may be structurally unsound — and even if it’s fine, you could end up hurting yourself or damaging your roof due to a lack of training.

Instead, circle around your property and do a visual inspection. If it looks like anything’s been damaged, then you should have a professional roofer come and perform a thorough inspection.

Common Hurricane-Related Roof Damage

The following are some of the common types of commercial roof damage that occurs during a hurricane:

  • Roof leaks – If you can see holes or other forms of visible damage on your roof or to the roof’s flashing, there’s a good chance there’s a leak. If large puddles have gathered on your commercial roof, there may be some risk for leaks as well. The best way to ensure that there are no leaks is to have a roof inspection performed.
  • Gutter problems – High powered winds have been known to rip gutters from their roofing. Inspect your gutter system if you have one. Look to make sure that it’s still attached to the roof. You should also consider having your gutters cleaned in case debris has collected during the hurricane. This will prevent clogs from occurring.
  • Roof debris – If you can see debris on your roof, such as branches, dirt, rocks, or other items, you should have them professionally removed. They are adding stress to a roof system that might be vulnerable to other roof damage.

Whether you can spot any damage or not, it’s a good idea to have an inspection performed following a hurricane. Schedule a commercial roof inspection by contacting us at Aderhold Roofing today.

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Hurricane Tips From Your Tampa Roofing Contractor

Updated: Oct 15, 2018

Taking measures to protect your commercial property in Tampa is important if you want to make sure that it gets through hurricane season.

Hurricane season starts on June 1st and lasts until November 30th. It’s at its peak from late August through September. During these times of the year, it will be your commercial roof that will be most vulnerable to the high winds and heavy rainfall that hurricanes bring. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to help reduce the risk of commercial roof damage.

Preparing Your Commercial Roof for Hurricane Season

There are several things that you should do to prepare your commercial roof for hurricane season. These include the following:

  • Schedule a gutter cleaning – It’s going to rain a lot, especially during peak hurricane season. Make sure that your gutters have been professionally cleaned so that they don’t get clogged up. If they get clogged, rainwater may build up in your gutters, which can cause damage to the gutter systems, leaks in your roof, and potentially water damage to your foundation.
  • Schedule a roof inspection – You’ll want to make sure your roof is in good condition. If it needs repairs, you should make them before hurricane season hits. A roof that’s in poor condition will be vulnerable to damage. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that all leaks are fixed, no matter how small they are. A minor leak can result in major water damage should a hurricane come through.
  • Secure outdoor items – If you have any loose items on your property, such as trash cans or lawn equipment, you need to bring it in if a hurricane is nearing your area. Strong hurricane winds can easily pick these items up and blow them into your roof, causing major damage.
  • Trim your tree branches – If there are trees near your building, make sure that the branches aren’t too close to your roof. A strong enough hurricane could break off branches and send them tumbling into your roof. You may need to have a professional trim back the branches of nearby trees.

The best way to prepare your commercial roof in Tampa for hurricane season is to make sure it’s in good condition by performing any repairs that might be necessary. To schedule a professional roof inspection in Tampa before hurricane season hits its peak, be sure to contact us at Aderhold Roofing today.