Florida hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the busiest stretch from mid August to mid October. The roof work that matters most happens before June, in the calm weeks when roofers can schedule repairs without a storm on the forecast.
A roof that passed an inspection last year can still develop weak points after twelve months of sun, rain and wear. Once a storm is tracking toward the Gulf coast, every roofer in West Central Florida gets busy fast, so spring is the time to find a small problem.
How to prepare your roof
Get a roof inspection in the spring
A roofer can spot loose fasteners, cracked seals and worn flashing you cannot see from the ground. Book it in April or May, and you have time to fix anything found. The inspection also gives you a dated record of your roof's condition before the season. Ours is always free; see roof inspections.
Clear gutters and trim branches
Clogged gutters back water up under the roof edge. Overhanging limbs become debris in high wind, and a dead or weak limb near the house is one of the most common causes of storm impact damage. Clear the gutters and downspouts each spring and cut back branches over the roof.
Look for loose or lifted shingles
A shingle already curling or lifted at the edge is far more likely to peel away in a storm. After a windy afternoon, look for granules in the gutters or tabs that look raised. Small areas of wear are an easy repair when caught early.
Check flashing and the attic
Flashing around chimneys, skylights and vents is a common way in for wind driven rain. On a bright day, daylight showing through the attic deck means a gap that needs sealing before the rains.
A roof prep timeline
- March to April: book a roof inspection and fix what it finds.
- May: clear gutters, trim trees, check the attic.
- June 1: hurricane season opens. Watch the forecast through November.
- A day or two before a storm: secure loose outdoor items and photograph the roof from the ground.
- After a storm: walk the property from the ground and call us if you see damage.
Wind mitigation
A wind mitigation inspection records how well your home resists hurricane wind: the roof covering, how the deck is attached, the roof to wall connections, the roof shape and whether there is a sealed secondary water barrier. Insurers give premium credits for what it finds. On our Essential, Preferred, Signature and metal roofs, the wind mitigation inspection is included in your price. See roof inspections for how it works.
What storms do to a roof
Wind lifts shingles at the edges and corners first, where uplift is highest. Wind driven rain finds small gaps in flashing and often shows up days later as a ceiling stain far from the opening. Falling limbs crack tile, dent metal and puncture underlayment. A low slope section that already drains poorly holds water after a heavy rain.
After the storm
Once it is safe, walk around the house and look up from the ground. Do not climb onto a wet roof. Look for missing shingles, dented vents and debris in the valleys, then check the attic and ceilings for new stains. Photograph anything unusual and have a roofer look before the next storm, since one season often brings more than one. If a storm has already hit, our guide to hurricane roof damage covers what to photograph and when to tarp, and for an active leak see roof repair. Damage from Hurricane Isaias: see our Isaias storm response.
When does hurricane season start and end in Florida?
June 1 to November 30. The National Hurricane Center puts most of the activity between mid August and mid October. Roof work is easiest to schedule in the spring, before roofers get busy with storm calls.
How often should I have my roof inspected?
Once a year, in the spring, is a sensible schedule. An older roof, or one that took storm damage last year, deserves a closer look. Our inspections are always free.
What should I do if a storm is a day or two out?
Bring in or tie down anything loose outside that could blow into the roof, and photograph your roof from the ground so you have a record of its condition. Stay off the roof once wind and rain start.
Can a small roof repair wait until after the season?
A small repair found in spring is cheaper and safer to fix before the storms than after it turns into a leak in one. If damage turns up close to a storm, fix it as soon as conditions allow.
The service: Inspections