TL;DR: Hurricane season roof prep comes down to four jobs: get a professional inspection, fix loose or worn parts, clear gutters and trees, and photograph your roof’s condition. Orlando homeowners should start before June 1, but the season runs through November 30, so it is never too late to work through the checklist.
Hurricane season roof prep comes down to four jobs: get a professional inspection, fix loose or worn parts, clear gutters and trees, and photograph your roof’s condition. In Orlando, try to finish before June 1. If a storm is already in the forecast, do the ground-level items below and call a roofer for anything on the roof.
The season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center says most tropical storms and hurricanes show up from August through October. Orlando sits inland, but storms that cross the state can still bring strong gusts and hours of wind-driven rain to places like Azalea Park and Conway. This checklist is built for that kind of weather.
When should you start getting your roof ready?
Start in early spring, ideally March through May. That leaves time to book an inspection, order materials, and finish repairs before storms start forming. According to NOAA’s tropical cyclone climatology, the first named storm usually forms in mid to late June.
If you are reading this in the middle of the season, you still have time. Start with the inspection and the steps you can do from the ground. Then fix the most urgent problems first.
What belongs on a pre-storm roof checklist?
Work through these eight steps in order. The first four find problems. The last four keep a small problem from turning into a big one.
1. Book a professional roof inspection
The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) puts a professional roof inspection, followed by any needed repairs, at the top of its hurricane prep advice. A trained inspector checks fasteners, sealant strips, flashing, and decking that you cannot judge from the driveway. Here’s what a residential roof inspection covers.
2. Look for loose, lifted, or missing pieces
Stand in the yard with binoculars. Look for curled, creased, or missing shingles, cracked or slipped tiles, and metal panels with backed-out screws. IBHS testing shows aging asphalt shingles can come loose in winds as low as 60 mph, which is well below hurricane strength. Do not climb up to check.
3. Check edges, flashing, and pipe boots
Roof edges are where wind gets its first grip. That is why the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard calls for locked-down edges with adhered starter strips and a securely fastened drip edge. Bent flashing and sun-cracked rubber pipe boots are also common leak points once rain is blowing sideways. Our guide to wind uplift and common roof failure points explains why these spots give out first.
4. Go into the attic
On a sunny day, take a flashlight into the attic. Look for water stains on the decking, damp or matted insulation, and daylight coming through the boards. Any of these means water can already get in, and a storm will make it worse.
5. Clean gutters and downspouts
Clogged gutters back water up under the roof edge and into the fascia boards. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office storm prep guide lists cleaning gutters and trimming trees away from the roof as basic steps to protect your home. If your fascia already looks soft, read up on how a gutter apron helps prevent fascia rot.
6. Trim trees away from the roof
Cut back branches that hang over the house and remove dead limbs. If your yard in Pine Castle or Union Park has a big oak over the roof, call a licensed tree service before peak season, not the week a storm gets a name.
7. Photograph the roof and attic
Take dated photos of each roof slope from the ground, plus the attic and ceilings. Store copies in the cloud. Clear before-and-after photos make it easier to show your insurance company what changed. Questions about coverage or a claim should go to your insurer or a licensed public adjuster.
8. Line up your tarping plan
Decide now who you will call if the roof gets damaged. A tarp put on quickly keeps rain out until a permanent repair can be made. Save the number in your phone before the power goes out.
Should you repair, replace, or coat before the next storm?
Repair if the roof is sound and has a few weak spots. Replace if it is near the end of its life or the decking is soft. This table shows how the options compare for storm prep.
| Option | Best for | What it does for storms | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | Sound roof with a few loose shingles, cracked tiles, or worn pipe boots | Closes small entry points for wind-driven rain | Will not fix an aging roof; repeated patching adds up |
| Full replacement | Roof near the end of its life, soft decking, or widespread wear | Chance to rebuild to current Florida Building Code with stronger deck and edge details | Takes the most planning, so book early in the year |
| SOPREMA silicone roof coating | Low-slope commercial roofs that are still in restorable shape | Adds a protective silicone layer over the existing roof | An inspection decides whether the roof can be restored |
| Roof painting | Structurally sound tile or metal roofs | Cosmetic only; adds no storm protection | Not the same as a protective coating |
If you do replace, IBHS recommends asking your contractor about the FORTIFIED Roof standard. It uses ring shank nails in a tighter pattern, a sealed roof deck, and locked-down edges. IBHS estimates that for every inch of rain, an unsealed deck can let in the same amount of water as nine bathtubs once the shingles are gone. Learn more about roof decking and why a sealed deck matters.
Signs you need to call a pro before storms arrive
- Shingles missing, creased, or lifted after a summer thunderstorm
- Shingle granules piling up in gutters or at downspouts
- Cracked or slipped tiles, or rusted and loose metal roof fasteners
- Water stains on ceilings or on the attic decking
- Flashing that is bent, rusted, or pulling away from walls and chimneys
- A sagging roof line or ridge
- A roof that is getting old and has never had a professional inspection
Why Thomas Roofing & Repair is a fit for storm prep
- Thomas Roofing and Repair is a family-owned, Florida-licensed roofing contractor, FL License #CCC1333138, founded in 2018.
- Our Orlando headquarters is at 924 West Colonial Drive and serves Orange County and the surrounding Central Florida service area.
- Our team includes a HAAG Certified Inspector.
- We provide storm and hurricane damage repair and emergency tarping.
- Blue Shield Loyalty Program members get free annual inspections, priority scheduling, and free emergency tarping after named storms.
- Our work is done by OSHA-trained crews, and our staff speaks English and Spanish.
- We are BBB Accredited with an A+ rating and have more than 690 verified Google reviews.
- We are a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster, so we document your roof’s condition and leave claim decisions to you and your insurer.
If you want your roof checked before the next storm, Orlando homeowners can call Thomas Roofing and Repair at (888) 808-4662 or book a roof estimate online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put a tarp on my roof before a hurricane hits?
Usually not. A tarp is a short-term fix for a roof that is already damaged. Before a storm, securing loose shingles, tiles, and flashing does more to keep water out.
Is it safe to climb on my roof to check it before a storm?
No. Roofs in Central Florida are often hot, slick, and steep, and falls are a real risk. Check from the ground with binoculars, look in the attic, and let a professional handle anything on the roof.
Does roof painting help protect my home from hurricanes?
No. Roof painting is cosmetic only and is done on structurally sound tile and metal roofs. Protective roof coatings are a separate service, and for low-slope roofs Thomas Roofing and Repair uses SOPREMA silicone coatings.
What should I do with my roof right after a storm passes?
Stay off the roof and look for missing pieces from the ground. Check ceilings and the attic for new stains, take dated photos, and call a roofer about tarping if water is getting in.
Recommended Reads
- What Is Roof Decking and Why a Sealed Deck Is Essential in Hurricane Country
- What Is a Gutter Apron and How Does It Prevent Fascia Rot in Florida’s Rainy Season?
- Hurricane Roof Damage Explained: Wind Uplift, Common Failure Points, and How to Protect Yo