Hurricanes hit the US on a recurrent basis and unfortunately it is almost always the East Coast that bears the brunt on any given year. Cities lying on the eastern coastline of the country are the most vulnerable to hurricanes and storms, compared to settlements on the West Coast. Hurricane Katrina wrecked havoc and almost devastated New Orleans in Louisiana in 2005, and this year, hurricanes Harvey and Irma adversely affected residents in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee, resulting in incalculable loss of life and property.
If you live in Miami, Key West or Tampa in Florida (cities most vulnerable to hurricanes), the state where the maximum number of hurricanes make landfall in the US, then you should take all necessary steps to prepare for an upcoming hurricane. Opting for roof reinforcement is definitely one of the most important measures in order to secure your home against raging hurricanes as it is the rooftop that endures the maximum impact. In fact, property owners in all the 14 US East Coast states, should revamp the rooftops of their properties, commercial or residential, and carry out all necessary repairs so as to make the top structure hurricane resistant.
If you neglect buttressing the roof of your abode, you are exposing it to the devastation and mayhem that a powerful twister or tornado is capable of causing. Once the rooftop is dented or broken, the structure becomes susceptible to mold overgrowth as well as water seepage, leading to further damage. So, what are the hurricane roof preparation measures you should be adopting?
Prevent Shingles from Getting Blown Away
In case your residence or business address is close to the coastline, chances are that your structure has an asphaltic shingled roof. When a strong hurricane or gale strikes, it uproots and blows away almost everything that comes in its path, including the shingle layer, thereby exposing its internal organization. Subsequently, the roof is now at great risk of undergoing irreversible damage from leaching and seepage.
Adding an extra layer of the latest type of asphalt shingle would go a long way as far as roof reinforcement is concerned. The advanced models of asphalt shingles are competent in withstanding the force produced by hurricanes moving to land at 150mphs. These newer kinds of asphaltic shingles are held in place firmly by six rivets or nails, compared to the four riveted in older models, rendering the former more capable of enduring forceful winds or storms.
So as to minimize the chances of your roof getting blown away by mighty winds, set in place all loosely hanging pebbles by applying roof adhesive, and ensure that the same gets affixed to the underneath of the roofing structure by pressurizing them. Carry out this procedure much before an impending hurricane or storm alert is sounded, at 3-4 in advance in order to allow the adhesive sufficient time to dry and solidify.
Reinforcements
More often than not, the hurricane roof preparation project will require you to go in for some minor adjustments or reinforcements. If you cannot figure out on your own as to the sort of reinforcements you need to conduct or if you to carry out any repairs or refurbishments in the first place, then you could consult a professional roofer or contractor. You can go DIY if you have the experience and install blocks of wood overlapping the timber roof trusses.
See to it that there is a gap of approximately 11/2 feet in between the blocks. Alternatively, you can affix hurricane straps to reinforce your roof and bolster the structure. These straps are actually metallic strips or bands that can be conveniently affixed to any kind of roofing structure.
New Roof
If the outermost layer of the rooftop has withered and appears worn down, it is time you considered investing in a brand new roof. If you stay in Clearwater, Florida, you can get in touch with Done Rite Insulation by dialing 727-585-8747 or follow the roofing contractor on social media.
Image credit: pixabay.com