September is statistically the most active month of the entire Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through the end of November. Whether this year turns out quiet or active, the smart move is checking your roof now, before a storm forces the issue. Here's a practical checklist.
If it feels like the weather has been more unpredictable lately, that's not just a feeling — September is statistically the most active month of the entire Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through the end of November. Whether this year turns out quiet or active, the smart move is checking your roof now, before a storm forces the issue.
Here's a practical checklist.
1. Check Your Roof's Age and Material
If you don't already know how old your roof is or what it's made of, that's step one. A roof approaching 15-20 years old (for shingles) is more vulnerable to wind damage than a newer one, and it matters for the rest of this checklist — an older roof needs a more thorough look than a newer one.
2. Look at Your Gutters
You don't need to get on the roof to do this one. Check your gutters for granules (a sign of shingle wear — see our earlier post on storm and tree damage signs for more on this), and make sure they're actually clear. Clogged gutters during a heavy tropical downpour cause water to back up under your roofline instead of draining away, which can lead to leaks that have nothing to do with wind damage at all.
3. Trim Overhanging Branches Now, Not During a Storm Watch
Gainesville's tree canopy is beautiful, but overhanging limbs are one of the most common causes of storm roof damage. Trimming back branches that hang over your roofline is far cheaper and safer to do now, on a calm day, than trying to get it done in the 48 hours before a storm — when every tree service in town is already booked solid.
4. Know Your Roof's Wind Rating
Every roof we install exceeds Alachua County's 130 mph wind requirement — our metal roofing is rated up to 140 mph, and our shingle roofing is rated to 130 mph. If you're not sure what your current roof is rated for, that's worth finding out. It affects both your actual safety and your wind mitigation insurance credits (see our post on wind mitigation credits if you haven't already).
5. Check for Existing Damage Before a Storm Adds to It
A roof that's already got a lifted shingle, minor flashing issue, or small leak is in a much worse position going into a storm than one that's been properly maintained. A quick inspection now can catch small problems while they're still small — and cheap — instead of after a storm turns them into a much bigger repair.
6. Have a Plan, Not Just a Hope
Know who you'd call if something did happen. Having already talked to a roofer before a storm — rather than searching frantically during one — means a faster response when it actually matters. In-house crews (not subcontractors) tend to move faster in the days after a storm hits an area, since they're not competing with dozens of other companies also scrambling for subcontracted labor.
The Bottom Line
None of this requires panic — most of Florida's hurricane seasons pass without a direct hit on any given home. But a 20-minute check now costs nothing and can save you from a much worse conversation later. If it's been a while since your roof was actually inspected, or you're just not sure where it stands, we're happy to take a look.
Get a free inspection before the next storm system develops — it's a lot easier to fix a small problem in September than deal with a big one in October.
Godwin Green Roofing has served Gainesville and North Central Florida since 1974. Licensed Florida Certified Roofing Contractor CCC#1329478.
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