Hurricane season in South Florida runs June 1 through November 30, and your roof is your home’s first line of defense. Most storm damage we repair in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Pembroke Pines starts with a small, preventable weakness — a lifted shingle, a cracked tile, a dried-out pipe boot. Here’s the checklist we recommend every homeowner run before the first storm forms.
Your Pre-Hurricane Roof Checklist
1. Get a professional roof inspection (spring is best)
A trained roofer will spot lifted shingles, slipped or cracked tiles, corroded flashing, and soft decking you can’t see from the ground. Book it before June — inspection calendars fill fast once a storm is named.
2. Secure loose tiles and shingles
In 100+ mph winds, one loose tile becomes a projectile and one lifted shingle edge becomes a peeled-open roof. Re-securing edges and replacing cracked pieces is cheap insurance.
3. Reseal penetrations and flashing
Vents, pipe boots, skylights and chimney flashing are the most common leak points in wind-driven rain. South Florida sun destroys sealants in a few years — have them checked and resealed.
4. Clean gutters and downspouts
A tropical storm can drop 10+ inches of rain. Clogged gutters back water up under the roof edge and into fascia and soffits.
5. Trim trees near the roofline
Overhanging branches scrape granules off shingles year-round and break off onto roofs in storms.
6. Photograph and document your roof
Take dated photos of your roof and attic before the season. If you ever file an insurance claim, before/after documentation dramatically strengthens it. See our Florida roof insurance claim guide.
7. Know your roof’s age and wind rating
If your roof is 15+ years old, ask about a wind mitigation inspection — and start budgeting for replacement. See what a new roof costs in Miami.
After the Storm: What to Do
- Stay off the roof. Inspect from the ground and inside the attic for daylight or wet spots.
- Tarp quickly. A professional emergency tarp prevents secondary water damage insurers may not fully cover.
- Call a local, licensed roofer — not a storm chaser. Out-of-state crews flood South Florida after every storm and disappear before warranty issues surface.
Schedule Your Pre-Season Inspection
3 Squares Roofing provides hurricane-prep inspections, repairs and emergency tarping across Miami-Dade and Broward. Request your free inspection and estimate here.
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