Do you live in Palm Coast, FL? If so, you probably know that hurricane season officially kicked off on June 1. This means you’ve probably seen alerts from the City of Palm Coast, asking you and other residents to get ahead of storm season.
But just what does that mean, and why is it all such a big deal? Certainly, we’ve dealt with storms before and we always persevere. Well, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) outlook for this year’s Atlantic season calls for eight to 14 named storms, meaning winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those, three to six could turn into hurricanes with winds of 74 mph and up. This can include one to three major hurricanes at Category 3 or above.
No, it’s not a landfall prediction. We don’t know where the storms will hit. But this information does tell us that if you are a Florida homeowner, it’s time to make sure your home is ready. And your roof needs to be high on the priority list.
If you spot missing shingles, a sagging roof, water stains, damaged flashing, loose tiles, or heavy granule loss, or if your roof is 15 to 25 years old, call for an inspection before storm season ramps up. Roof repair in Palm Coast, FL can save you tens of thousands before a storm hits. Small problems can turn into big ones fast once high winds and heavy rain show up.
Many homeowners don’t know what to look for when it comes to their roof. And part of the problem is the inability to get up on the roof safely to take a look around. Thankfully, the majority of the signs we’re about to share are easy to spot at ground level.
Take a look at your roofline from the street. Does it dip in any spots, or look uneven anywhere? A sagging roof often points to a bigger problem underneath, like weakened decking or trapped moisture. This isn’t something to put off. A sagging roof can get worse fast, especially once storm winds add extra weight and pressure.
Shingles protect your roof deck from water. When they’re missing, cracked, or curling up at the edges, wind has an easier time getting underneath them and pulling more away. This kind of damage is common after years of Florida sun and heat. Once shingles fail in one spot, the problem tends to spread.
Tile roofs are common across Florida, and they hold up well overall. But loose or broken tiles can let wind-driven rain slip underneath and reach the layers below. Catching a few loose tiles early is a lot simpler than dealing with a wider repair later.
Stains or dark patches on your ceiling usually mean water is getting into your roof somewhere. By the time you see a spot, the moisture has often traveled further than it looks. Waiting to deal with a leak almost always makes the repair bigger and more expensive.
Most roofs last somewhere between 15 and 25 years, depending on the material. Years of sun, heat, heavy rain, wind, and temperature swings wear roofing materials down little by little. Even if you haven’t noticed any leaks yet, a roof in this age range is worth having checked before storm season gets going.
Flashing is the metal that seals the edges around vents, chimneys, and skylights. It keeps water from sneaking in at these joints. When flashing gets loose, rusted, or lifted, it becomes a common spot for leaks to start. It’s also easy to miss from the ground.
Asphalt shingles are covered in small granules that protect them from the sun. As shingles age, it’s normal to lose a few granules here and there. But finding a lot of them piling up in your gutters or downspouts means your shingles are losing their protective layer.
Hurricane season puts extra strain on every roof in Palm Coast. Small warning signs, like a few loose shingles or a stain on the ceiling, are worth paying attention to now. Handling repairs before severe weather arrives can help limit how much damage a storm causes to your home.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, the team at Neal Strickland Roofing can take a look and let you know what repairs make sense before the season reaches its peak.
If you are experiencing any of the issues we mentioned above, why not contact us for a free estimate? We’re always happy to come out, inspect your roof, and let you know what we think it needs. And, rest assured, we won’t just suggest a roof replacement for the sake of suggesting a roof replacement. If we think your roof has a few more years left and that some repairs will suffice, we’ll let you know. Our goal is to offer complete transparency on what your home needs to keep you covered.
Contact us today for a free estimate.
Neal Strickland Roofing — 153 US-17, East Palatka, FL 32131 | Licensed & Insured | Serving St. Augustine and all of Northeast Florida
