The four phases of hurricane roof prep
1
Before season
Pre-season inspection, clear drainage, trim trees, check openings
2
Documentation
Dated photos, wind-mit report, permit/age records, insurance policy on hand
3
Storm on the way
Clear the yard, deploy shutters early, stay off the roof, photograph the home
4
After the storm
Stay safe, document damage, stop active leaks, verify any contractor first

What should you do before hurricane season starts?

Key takeaway

The cheapest storm protection is the maintenance you do before there’s a storm. A pre-season inspection, clear drainage, trimmed trees, and protected openings cover most of what fails in a wind event.

  • Get a pre-season roof inspection. Catch lifted shingles, cracked tiles, worn flashing, and failed sealant now, while a roofer can fix them calmly — not during the rush after a storm is announced.
  • Clear gutters, drains, and scuppers. Standing water and blocked drainage cause leaks and, on flat roofs, ponding. Clear them before the rain.
  • Trim trees away from the roof. Overhanging limbs become projectiles and abrade the roof in high wind. Trimming is far cheaper than the damage.
  • Check your openings. Confirm your impact windows/doors are sound, or that your shutters are present, complete, and operable — before you need them in a hurry.

Here’s what actually turns up on a pre-season walk, roughly in order of how often we find it. Worn or cracked sealant at pipe boots, vent stacks, and AC line penetrations comes first — it causes more leaks than the roof covering itself. Lifted or cracked tiles and shingles from last season’s wind are second, usually a handful of pieces, not a full re-roof. Clogged or undersized drains and scuppers on flat roofs are third, and the cheapest of the four to fix. Near the water, fastener corrosion is its own category: a standard electro-galvanized fastener holds five to ten years in salt air before the shank corrodes and the head pulls through, while the roof still looks fine from the ground.

Why should you document your roof before a storm happens?

This is the step most people skip and later wish they hadn’t. Take dated photos of your roof, exterior, and openings in good condition. Keep your wind-mitigation report, your roof’s permit/age records, and your insurance policy somewhere you can find them. If a storm causes damage, “before” photos and clean records make a claim dramatically smoother.

RelatedFiling a Florida roof insurance claim

What should you do when a storm is on the way?

  • Clear the yard and patio. Furniture, planters, grills, and loose items become missiles. Bring them in or secure them.
  • Deploy shutters early if you have them — before the wind makes it dangerous to be on a ladder. Impact windows need no action.
  • Don’t go up on the roof in advance of the storm. Pre-season is the time for roof work; the day before a hurricane is not.
  • Charge devices and photograph the home one more time, so you have a clean “just before” record.

What should you do after the storm passes?

  • Stay safe first. Watch for downed lines and standing water. Don’t climb a wet or damaged roof.
  • Document from the ground. Photograph any visible damage and interior leaks, dated.
  • Stop active water intrusion. A proper temporary cover prevents a leak from becoming structural damage while you arrange repairs.
  • Be wary of door-knockers. The post-storm “free roof” and deductible-waiving pitches are red flags — and deductible waiving is illegal in Florida. Call a licensed local contractor you can verify.
RelatedRepair or replace after a storm?

Frequently asked questions

When is hurricane season in Florida?
June 1 through November 30, with peak activity typically late summer into early fall. The preparation that matters — inspection, drainage, trimming, openings — should be done before the season starts, not when a storm is already named.
Should I get my roof inspected before every season?
An annual pre-season check is a sound habit, especially for older roofs or after a rough season. It catches small problems — lifted shingles, worn flashing, cracked tiles — while they’re cheap and quick to fix.
What's the single most important prep step?
Clearing drainage and getting a real inspection. Most preventable storm leaks trace back to blocked drainage or a small, known defect that wasn’t addressed in time. Documentation is a close second — it protects you on the claim side.
A roofer knocked on my door after a storm offering a free roof. Should I use them?
Be very cautious. “Free roof” and deductible-waiving offers are red flags, and waiving an insurance deductible is illegal in Florida. Use a licensed, local contractor whose license you can verify with the state — not whoever shows up at the door.

A pre-season inspection is the cheapest insurance you’ll buy all year. If you haven’t had your roof looked at before this season, that’s the place to start.