Tryin’ to Reason with Hurricane Season
If you’re a resident of the Southeastern United States, then chances are very good you’re familiar with a particular songwriter and performer by the name of Jimmy Buffett. His unique, island-themed songs became very popular during the 1970s, and his popularity only seems to continue to grow over time. Buffett is known for classics like “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Come Monday,” “Fins,” and “Volcano.” He also penned a lesser-known song in 1974 called “Tryin’ to Reason with Hurricane Season.” It’s a nice little tune, but the fact of the matter is that there really is no reasoning with hurricane season!
The Two Main Impacts of a Hurricane
When they form over the Atlantic, they’re known as hurricanes; in the Pacific, they’re known as typhoons, and over the Indian Ocean they’re called cyclones. But by whatever name, these monsters are the largest, most dangerous storms on planet Earth. Hurricane season “officially” starts on June 1 and runs through the end of November, so this is an important time for you to increase your hurricane awareness. The two main threats from a hurricane? High winds, and a deluge of water.
Wind Damage
While tornadoes bring the highest wind speeds of any storm, a tornado usually moves through in a matter of seconds or minutes. A hurricane, on the other hand, can bombard you with sustained winds of over 74 mph for hours, sometimes even DAYS! That kind of wind punishment is hard to defend against and can result in blowing off roof accessories, throwing things on top of your roof, and knocking off some shingles. In the case of a Category 3 or higher storm, the winds can even tear off a roof completely!
Water Damage
When it comes to the most dangerous threat of a hurricane, meteorologists will tell you it’s not the wind – it’s the water. If you live in close proximity to the coast, then storm surge is really your primary concern; a rising sea can destroy pretty much any manmade structure! But if you live beyond the coastal plain, then water’s not a real threat, right? Wrong. Sustained torrential rains (especially when accompanied by high winds) have a way of finding their way around and underneath your roof, and into your home or business. And once the water gets inside, the results can be catastrophic for your structure, your property, and your loved ones!
Tips for Preparing Your Roof for Hurricane Season
Skywalker Roofing is here to help! If you live within our service area of NC and VA, then chances are good that you’ve experienced the effects of a hurricane first-hand at some point. And while there’s nothing you can do to prevent a hurricane from making its way across the Atlantic and finding its way to your location, there are some things you can do to help get your roof ready for an impending storm.
Install Hurricane Clips
Hurricane clips come in several designs and go by several names (including hurricane ties and hurricane straps), but these framing anchors are designed for one primary purpose. They’re used to secure the rafters, trusses, or joists of your roof to the framework of your structure, helping to resist the uplift and lateral forces of a strong storm. Hurricane clips are actually required in the building codes of many hurricane-prone areas, but they’re a good idea to include in any primary structure located across the Southeastern U.S.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Having a fully-functioning roof drainage system can play a significant role in helping to mitigate storm damage caused by heavy rains. Early summer is a smart time to make sure there’s no debris clogging up your gutters or downspouts. Don’t like navigating ladders or having to deal with digging into a nasty gutter? Having gutter guards installed can certainly be a wise investment!
Trim Nearby Trees & Shrubbery
It’s important to make sure that there are no overhanging branches nearby which could land on your roof during a heavy storm. Take the opportunity to cut back or prune trees or tall shrubs in close proximity to your structure. Not only can this help you during hurricane season, but it can also help to prevent some leaves from making their way into your gutters come fall.
Have Your Roof Inspected
Doing regular self-checks of your roof is certainly a good idea. But unless you’ve had specialized training and experience with roofing, you could still miss something. To get the best handle on your roof’s current condition, it’s best to let a locally licensed-and-insured roofing professional come out and take a look.
Choose Skywalker for Your New Roof Installation or Replacement
If your roof has become damaged or has seen its share of seasons, one of the best things you can do to prepare for potential hurricane impacts is to go ahead and have your roof replaced by the team at Skywalker Roofing! Skywalker offers a full array of rugged, wind-tested roofing material options including slate, tile, metal roofing, wood shakes, composite roofing, and several quality shingle options. Some roofing materials offer better wind resistance than others, but even choosing the very best materials isn’t enough if your roof isn’t installed properly to begin with!
That’s why it’s important to find the right local roofing professional you can trust, and no name is more trusted across North Carolina and southwest Virginia than Skywalker Roofing! Skywalker is the premier roofing provider serving the NC Piedmont Triad, Piedmont Triangle, Charlotte Metro, and Roanoke, VA areas. Our team has all the tools, training, and experience to be able to take care of any and all of your roofing needs. Our superior level of workmanship really speaks for itself, and the level of personalized customer service we provide is truly second to none!
Reach out to us today by calling +1 (336) 627-5596, and let one of our friendly experts answer all your questions and schedule your FREE roof inspection and personal consultation. Give us a shout, and let us show you the Skywalker difference!