Hurricane Roof Checklist for Florida Homes
What to check on your roof before hurricane season: gutters, limbs, loose shingles and tiles, flashing, photos and your deductible.
Written by the Valrico Roofing Pros team, 2700 St Anthony Dr, Valrico, FL 33594 · Updated October 31, 2026
A hurricane roof checklist for Florida homes: before June 1, clear gutters and valleys, trim limbs over the roof, fix loose or cracked shingles and tiles, check flashing, photograph the roof and attic, know your hurricane deductible, and save a roofer's number. It takes an afternoon and can save thousands. Through our Valrico roof leak repair service, local roofers do pre-season checks from April.
Your hurricane roof checklist
- Clear gutters and valleys.Oak leaves dam valleys and back water under the roof edge in heavy rain.
- Trim trees.Limbs over the roof or within reach of it. A falling limb is the most common serious damage local roofers see.
- Fix loose shingles and tiles.Wind gets under a lifted tab or slipped tile and peels more off.
- Check flashing and pipe boots.Cracked boots and gapped flashing let wind-driven rain in.
- Look in the attic.Old stains, daylight, or loose decking at the edges.
- Photograph everything.Every slope, gutters, attic and ceilings, with dates.
- Check your policy.Know your hurricane deductible, usually 2%, 5% or 10% of dwelling coverage.
- Have a plan.A roofer's number saved, a tarp and buckets on hand.
Longer-term upgrades
- Hurricane straps or clips tying the roof to the walls.
- A sealed roof deck (secondary water barrier) when you re-roof.
- Better nailing of the roof deck at re-roof time.
These are the features a wind mitigation inspection records, and they can lower your premium. The state's My Safe Florida Home program has offered free inspections and grants for eligible homes.
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30
Valrico isn't on the coast, but storms still reach it. Hurricane Milton brought trees down across Valrico streets in October 2024. After a storm, follow roof damage after a hurricane: first steps. Keep this hurricane roof checklist and run through it every spring.
Hurricane prep questions
When should I get my roof ready for hurricane season?
April or May, before the season starts on June 1. Contractors are much easier to book then than in August or September.
Should I take photos of my roof before a hurricane?
Yes. Date-stamped photos of every slope, the gutters and the attic make it much easier to show what the storm damaged.
Do hurricane straps help?
Yes. Straps or clips tying the roof to the walls are one of the main features a wind mitigation inspection records, and they can lower premiums.
Should I trim trees before a storm?
Yes, especially limbs over the roof. Valrico's big oaks are a leading cause of storm roof damage.
Can I tarp my roof before a storm?
Pre-storm tarps usually blow off in hurricane winds. It's better to fix loose shingles and tiles beforehand and keep a tarp on hand for after.
Want a pre-season roof check?
Call (813) 555-0147 or text us a photo of the stain. We’ll find where the water is getting in, show you photos, and explain the repair before any work starts.