The National Weather Service has designated April 30th to May 6th as Hurricane-Preparedness Week for 2023, but it’s important to remember that taking preventative measures should be done all summer and fall. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, you should make sure to take the necessary steps to ensure your home is safe and secure before the season begins.
Owners of homes in high-risk areas should take steps to prepare for the Atlantic hurricane season from June 1st to November 30th, as well as the Eastern Pacific hurricane season from May 15th, as suggested by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). One proactive measure to consider is investing in roofing products that are designed to withstand intense winds and heavy rain.
2023 Hurricane Season Predictions
AccuWeather’s senior meteorologist, Dan Kottlowski, predicts that 2023 will be an average season for tropical activity in the Atlantic, with 11-15 named storms, 4-8 hurricanes, and 1-3 major hurricanes. Though NOAA and Tropical Storm Risk’s forecasts are less active than in past years, it is still necessary to remain vigilant.
Preserving Your Roof During a Hurricane
Prior to hurricane season, it is important to arrange for a pre-season inspection of your roof to check for loose or cracked shingles, damaged flashing, and other issues. Additionally, you may want to consider reinforcing your roof’s framing to better protect it from the strong winds of a hurricane. A professional roofing contractor will be able to explain the various methods of providing added support to your roof, including braces, collar ties, and strapping.
Selecting Quality Products
When selecting roofing materials, homeowners, builders, and insurance companies recommend products that have been tested for wind performance and have proven successful in real-life weather events such as Hurricane Ian in 2022. Owens Corning’s Duration® shingles with SureNail® Technology triple-layered protection and Oakridge® shingles with a double-layered nailing zone protection are two great examples of how specially designed shingles can help protect your home from wind damage.
If you are in the process of constructing a house in a region that is prone to storms or replacing the roof of your existing house, think about using underlayment products created to give your home extra protection during storm season.
Synthetic Underlayments act as an extra barrier between the wood deck and the shingles, primarily to stop wind-driven rain from getting in. If any shingles do get blown away, the synthetic underlayment that is still attached to the roof deck will help keep the elements out.
Self-Adhered Underlayments, such as ice and water barriers, are created to safeguard the roof in areas where water gathers or runs off, including valleys, vents, chimneys, and skylights. During a hurricane, heavy rains can be propelled in horizontal sheets by the wind. These underlayments are able to help stop water from entering the roof deck. In areas that are particularly vulnerable to hurricanes, contractors may cover the entire roof with one of the WeatherLock® Ice and Water Barrier solutions.
Be a Proactive Homeowner
If your home’s roof is starting to show signs of wear and tear or you would like a pre-hurricane season inspection, contact Xtreme Roofing & Construction as your independent roofing contractor. They can discuss the benefits of repair vs. a total roof replacement and advise you on hurricane prevention strategies for your roof.
