According to the National Hurricane Center, official hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30 for the Pacific Coast and June 1 to November 30 for the Atlantic Coast.

Hurricane season brings unpredictable weather with the potential to cause major wind and water damage to your roof. Whether you’re a business owner or homeowner, it’s important to put a plan in place to protect your roof, especially if you live in a hurricane-prone area.

We’ve rounded up five tips to help prepare your roof for hurricane season:

1. Roof evaluation: get to know the condition of your roof with a thorough inspection.
2. Trim trees: identify tree limbs, dead trees, and over-hanging branches to minimize risk.
3. Routine maintenance: keeping a regular maintenance program is the best way to ensure your roof can stand up to the elements of a storm.
4. Clean gutters & drains: maintaining a clear pathway for water to travel down to the ground and not sit on your roof to cause potential water damage is essential.
5. Make proper repairs: minor cracks and leaks can lead to serious problems during a hurricane.

Don’t let storm season sneak up on you. Putting a roof preparation plan in place ahead of time is the best way to ensure your roof can stand up to the elements of a tropical storm. Are you prepared?