With hurricane season in full swing, now’s the time for commercial property owners to prepare for these storms. Hurricanes and tropical storms bring strong winds that can toss debris around and damage roofs. They also bring heavy rains that can cause severe water damage to building interiors. Preparing your commercial roof for a hurricane now can help lower your risk of severe damage. The following tips can help you get your roof ready and ensure that it’s able to withstand this kind of weather in the Fort Lauderdale area.
Common Hurricane Hazards
Hurricanes and tropical storms can produce sustained winds up to 150 mph or higher. These winds can put even the toughest commercial roofs to the test. They can also blow debris around, causing additional roof damage. However, rain can be an even bigger concern when these storms pass through the area. Flash floods can occur as several inches of rain fall during hurricanes and tropical storms. A commercial roof that isn’t prepared can easily have significant storm damage that causes leaks.
Preparing Your Commercial Roof for a Hurricane
Schedule Routine Commercial Roof Maintenance
You don’t have to wait for a hurricane to form to start preparing your roof. In fact, keeping up with maintenance on a routine basis can help you get a head start on hurricane season preparation. This routine includes regular maintenance on your commercial roof. Schedule professional maintenance so roofers can check for weak areas or signs of damage. You can have these problems fixed before hurricane season begins, which helps reduce your risk of roof damage during storms.
Keep Gutters and Downspouts Clean
Leaves and other debris can create blockages in your gutters and downspouts. When there’s a hurricane, water won’t be able to move through your gutter system. This buildup puts your commercial roof at a much higher risk of having water damage. Make sure all drains are also cleared of debris.
Trim Trees
Tree branches near your commercial roof can be a significant hazard during hurricanes and tropical storms. Winds can break them off and fling them onto your roof. Branches hanging over your roof can also scrape against the surface and damage flashing or other areas. Keep branches trimmed as often as needed so that they’re a few feet away from your commercial roof.
What to Do Before a Hurricane Approaches
Your commercial roof should be in good shape if you’ve been keeping up with routine maintenance. However, taking a few steps to ensure it’s fully ready for a hurricane is still important. When a storm is headed for the Fort Lauderdale area, doing the following can help prevent serious damage.
Secure Roof Access Hatches
Commercial roofs typically have one or more access hatches. These can become vulnerable areas that put your building at risk of damage when a hurricane hits. Make sure all roof access hatches are securely closed, so they won’t blow open during these storms.
Protect Skylights
If your commercial roof has any skylights, flying debris can break the glass. This puts the interior of your building at risk of significant water damage. Put a metal cage over skylights, or cover them with pieces of plywood. This helps protect against debris during tropical storms and hurricanes.
Check Roof Mounted Equipment
If your commercial roof has any equipment on it, such as an HVAC unit, make sure it’s securely attached with straps. Take steps to protect it from damage due to wind and rain, such as placing a tarp over it. This helps lower the risk of having this equipment torn off or having water damage components inside it.
Check Roof Flashing, Vents, and Other Protrusions
These areas of your commercial roof are more at risk of leaks and other damage during significant storms. Before a hurricane hits, check these areas to make sure they’re not showing signs of wear. If you do find damage, have it repaired as soon as possible.
Find High-Quality Fort Lauderdale Roofers
PSI Roofing experts can help you ensure your commercial roof is all set for hurricane season. We can inspect your roof and take care of any issues that we find. This protects your roof from wind and water when tropical storms or hurricanes hit our area.
If you need to schedule maintenance or have an inspection done for storm damage, contact PSI Roofing. Our local roofers in Fort Lauderdale can help you ensure your commercial roof is ready for hurricane season.