Before the season: from the ground
- Walk around the house with binoculars. Look for cracked or missing tiles, lifted shingles, and bent or loose flashing.
- Check that ridge caps and hip tiles are all in place.
- Clear gutters, valleys and flat roof drains of leaves.
- Trim tree branches back from the roof. Overhanging limbs are a leading cause of storm damage.
- Secure or remove loose items on flat roofs and patios, such as satellite dishes and old antennas.
Before the season: in the attic
- Use a flashlight to look for water stains or damp insulation on the underside of the deck.
- Look for daylight around vents and pipes.
- Check that the roof-to-wall connections you can see, such as straps or clips, are in place.
Know what a wind mitigation inspection looks at
Florida insurers are required to offer premium discounts for features that reduce wind damage. Those features are documented on a wind mitigation inspection form (the state's OIR-B1-1802 form), completed by a qualified inspector. The form looks at:
- Roof covering and whether it meets current code.
- Roof deck attachment, meaning the nail type and spacing holding the plywood down.
- Roof-to-wall attachment: toe nails, clips, single or double wraps.
- Roof geometry. Hip roofs generally perform better than gable roofs.
- Secondary water resistance, a sealed deck that helps keep water out if the covering blows off.
- Opening protection for windows and doors.
A new roof is the moment to improve several of these at once. When we replace a roof, we re-nail the deck to current requirements and can install secondary water resistance. Ask your insurance agent about getting a new wind mitigation inspection after your roof is done.
When a storm is coming
- Bring in or tie down anything that could become a projectile.
- Take dated photos of your roof and home exterior for your records.
- Don't climb on the roof to "tie things down" once winds pick up.
After the storm
- Stay off the roof. Inspect from the ground and the attic.
- Photograph any damage, debris and interior leaks.
- If water is getting in, call for temporary protection. See storm damage repair.
- If you plan to file a claim, contact your insurer or agent first.
This article is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Codes and laws change, so confirm details with your local building department, insurance agent or attorney.