Roof Inspections
Set aside one day a year to inspect your roof. Begin by checking the surface of your roof, either on the roof itself, or from the ground with binoculars. If heights aren’t your thing, you can hire a professional roof inspector for about $175.
Consider hurricane straps to ensure your roof is bolted to the rest of your house, and inspect your roof tiles or shingles to make sure they are secure. Use roofing cement to fix any loose tiles to prevent them from becoming lethal projectiles during a storm and damaging the underlying roofing material. Seal any areas where wires enter the home, minimizing the chance of water damage during heavy wind and rain.
Look for curled, loose, or missing shingles or roof tiles. Pay particular attention to the edges of the roof. Also, check the spacing of the nails that hold the shingles and underlying roof deck onto your houses. Nails should be approximately four inches apart along edges. Nails, not staples, should be used to secure the roof deck to the rafters.
If you have access to your attic, inspect the roof from the inside as well. Look for points of light coming through the roof. This can reveal gaps that can let in wind and water. Examine the rafters or trusses for protruding nail tips, which indicate that the plywood roof deck might not be properly secured.