It’s never too early to think about preparing your facility for heavy storms – especially now that our region is in the heart of hurricane season.  Following is a 10-step action plan to ensure that your facility is ready for heavy storms.

1. Be sure to check that your roof, gutters and roof drains are clear of items that could damage the roof or block the flow of water rapidly draining off the building.  
2. Be sure the roof vent covers are in place and firmly affixed.  Fasten down any loose/damaged parapet covers.  
3. Conduct a walk-through looking at the ceilings in the building - note existing stained areas so they can be checked for new leaks and compared to stains that are visible after the storm.  
4. Be sure windows are properly closed and drip caps in position over exposed doors. 
5. Install plastic and other safety items where heavy rains tend to back up into the facility.  
6. Be sure that site drains outside the building are all free of debris and ready for operation.  
7. Go around the building and fasten any loose siding elements. 
8. Take loose site decorations and site furniture indoors or gather it and use chains or cables to bind the items together and fasten them to something solid.  
9. Remove loose hanging dead limbs around the building (live limbs that can touch the building should be trimmed away in late winter every year.)
10. Schedule quarterly Disaster Preparedness & Contingency Planning - DPCP exercises. This should involve your staff and vendors who should be on a prearranged list of vetted partners who you would be contacting for/during an emergency event. This helps prepare all individuals that would be involved from all ends, from the vendors to your building personnel and/or clients, to experience what actually happens or could happen during an emergency situation.

Most commercial roofing companies offer maintenance programs that address most of the items above and ensure your building’s roof will weather future storms. 

Preventative roof maintenance programs include making minor repairs to protect building owners from interior damages caused by water intrusion, help prevent costly repairs down the road and extend the life of the roof system. 

The frequency is either quarterly, semi-annual or annual depending on the size of one’s business and if there are circumstances such as a lot of trees that have higher debris potential that require more frequent maintenance visits.

About Highland Roofing Company

Highland Roofing Company is a family-owned and operated business with offices in Wilmington and Raleigh, NC. Highland Roofing Company’s mission is to build relationships and make life easier for its clients by providing exceptional service and quality at a fair price.  For more information visit highlandroofingcompany.com.

Author: Rick Jones, Service Department Manager

Bio: Rick Jones has worked at Highland Roofing for 6 years as the Service Department Manager where he leads Highland Roofing Company’s repair and maintenance team. He and the teams he leads have worked on many prominent, landmark facilities throughout eastern North Carolina.