It’s never too early to think about preparing your facility for heavy storms – especially now that our region is at the start of another 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 woman-owned, HUB-certified commercial roofing
contractor 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. The company is one of just 54 North
Carolina companies to be named one of the Best Employers by North Carolina Business Magazine. For more information visit highlandroofingcompany.com.