As a Jacksonville homeowner, you’ve probably asked yourself this question a dozen times: Should I wait until after hurricane season to replace my roof? We get it. It’s a conundrum, for sure. If bad weather is going to roll through and there is a risk of damage to your roof, why shouldn’t you wait things out? Why get a brand new roof only to expose it to potential damage?
Well, here’s the thing. That thinking can be flawed. If your roof is already weak, waiting won’t do you much good. In fact, it just means that more of your home underneath will be exposed when those heavy rains and winds make their appearance.
In this article, we’ll help you more directly answer the question: Should you replace your roof before hurricane season?
As much as it might seem counterintuitive, if your roof has damage or is nearing the end of its lifespan, replacing it before the next hurricane season rolls around is the best path forward. Doing so can lower the chance of major storm damage. It can also help you avoid leaks and expensive interior repairs down the road.
Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 through November 30, according to the Florida State University Climate Center. The busiest stretch usually falls between mid-August and late October. Jacksonville hasn’t taken as many direct hurricane hits as some other parts of Florida.
But that doesn’t mean the city is in the clear. Storms passing nearby can still bring all the things that can wreak havoc on your roof:
Every home in this area carries some level of hurricane risk, no matter how far it sits from the coast.
Yes, we know that holding off might seem to make the most sense. Who wants to spend money on something that might get damaged just a few weeks or months down the road? But roofs don’t fail all at once. They wear down little by little over the years.
By the time a hurricane rolls in, an older roof may already have:
These problems don’t cause trouble on a calm, sunny day. A storm just brings them to the surface.
Roofs age for a lot of reasons, and Florida weather doesn’t make it easy on them. Constant sun exposure breaks down shingles year after year. Add in Florida heat, heavy rain, humidity, and strong winds, and the wear adds up fast.
Seasonal storms and the constant back-and-forth of expansion and contraction from temperature swings put extra strain on roofing materials. Moss, algae, and debris buildup can speed things along, too, along with old repairs and normal aging. Most asphalt roofs last somewhere between 15 and 25 years.
Where a specific roof falls in that range depends on the materials used, how well it was installed, how it’s been maintained, and how much weather it’s taken on.
A roof doesn’t have to be leaking to be in trouble. Some signs to watch for include:
A professional inspection is the best way to find out whether repairs will still get the job done or whether it’s time to talk about replacement.
A little prep work goes a long way. Schedule a roof inspection early, before storm season gets busy. Trim back any tree branches hanging near the house. Clean out gutters and valleys so water has somewhere to go. Secure any loose roofing materials you can spot. If your roof is aging and it makes sense to replace it, do that before severe weather shows up, not after. Waiting until storms are already in the forecast just doesn’t leave much time to work with.
Planning ahead gives you more options and more time to deal with roofing concerns before hurricane season hits its busiest months. If your roof is showing its age, or you’re just not sure what shape it’s in, the team at Neal Strickland Roofing can take a look. We’ll give you a professional inspection and help you figure out whether repairs will do the job or whether a roof replacement in Jacksonville, FL, is the right move for your home.
Most asphalt roofs in Florida last between 15 and 25 years. The exact number depends on the materials, installation, maintenance, and how much sun, rain, and wind the roof has dealt with over time.
Yes. A roof can technically hold up during an inspection while still being close to the end of its useful life. An inspector can point out warning signs that suggest replacement should happen soon, even if there’s no active leak yet.
If your roof is aging or already showing wear, replacing it before hurricane season is often the safer choice. It gives the new roof time to be installed properly and reduces the chance of storm damage to a roof that was already weakened.
