Protect Your Florida Roof with Our 4 Practical Tips

 

Florida roofs withstand torrential downpours, hurricane force winds and extreme heat to protect you and your family year after year. Homeowners want a roof they can continually count on to hold up against inclement weather and environmental extremes. Surprisingly, many Florida homeowners fail to perform simple roof maintenance tasks to ensure their roof can sustain the weather and potential natural disasters. If you neglect your roof, you will have to pay more money down the line for weather-related home damages as well as roofing repairs. Roof maintenance may not be one of the more exciting home projects, but it is one of the most important. Read on to learn how to protect your Florida roof with our 4 practical tips, so you can have peace of mind all year long.

 

 

Choose the Right Materials

Roofs have warranties for a reason. Roofing materials naturally disintegrate over time as they are constantly exposed to the elements. When it comes to hurricane force winds and hail storms, all roofs suffer their fair share of damage, just keep in mind that not all roofing materials were created equally. Inorganic materials can typically withstand the elements more effectively than organic materials. Searching for the perfect material for your Florida roof is challenging, as it needs to be tough enough to endure the challenges of Florida’s fluctuating weather. Going beyond exterior roofing materials, you want to make sure your roof is properly insulated in order to hinder the effects of extreme winds as well as properly fastened and secured to the materials.

 

 

Call a Professional

Being a proactive homeowner is a great skill to have, and is beneficial in extending the life of your Florida roof, but there are limits as to how much you can do. Homeowners should regularly perform visual inspections from the street, and walk the perimeter of the house to check for any signs of roofing damage. Leave the rest up to professionals. A licensed and insured roofing professional knows exactly what to look for, and can spot potentially vulnerable areas on the roof to avoid walking over. Professional roofers perform routine inspections for:

• Splits, blisters, cracks, punctures and other signs of physical damage.
• Faulty and unattached roof top equipment.
• Structural weakness.
• The condition of your shingles: staining, cupping, missing, curling or buckling.
• Overhanging tree branches.
• Potential roof leaks, water damage and rot.
• Discolorations caused by algae, mold and rust.

 

 

Sustainable Roof Design

A Florida roof should last around 20 years, and will be strong enough to sustain inclement weather. Florida is home to many older houses, some of which have ineffective and unsustainable roof designs. Older roof designs can be faulty, and are more susceptible to damage during inclement weather. Newer homes may also suffer if the roof was not initially installed properly. A professional roofer can come out and correct minor issues or perform a full roof replacement.

 

 

Homeowner Maintenance

Homeowners can regularly clean out the gutters to rid them of leaves, sticks and other debris that can lead to clogs and roof damage. It is also important to clean out any dust and debris from your ventilation system, and make sure your downspouts are properly positioned. Homeowners can also check for signs of moss growth, and hire someone to trim back overhanging tree branches.

 

 

Florida homeowners want to rest easy knowing their roof will be able to endure Florida’s unpredictable weather, and protect their family from the elements. Implementing proper care and maintenance strategies now is vital to sustaining a healthy roof. You can extend the expectancy of your Florida roof by keeping up with simple annual and quarterly maintenance.