Is Your Roof Hurricane-Ready? A Bluffton Homeowner’s Guide to Storm Prep

Living in the Lowcountry, we know that hurricane season is not a matter of “if,” but “when.” From June through November, homeowners in Bluffton, Hilton Head, and Okatie keep a watchful eye on the Atlantic.

But too often, we see homeowners waiting until a named storm is barreling toward the coast to think about their roof. By then, it is often too late to make the necessary reinforcements.

At New River Roofing, we want to help you secure your home before the winds pick up. A sturdy roof is your home’s first line of defense against hurricane-force winds and driving rain. Here is your guide to ensuring your roof is ready for whatever the season brings.

1. Understand Your Wind Rating

Not all shingles are created equal. In South Carolina’s coastal environment, standard shingles often aren’t enough.

Check your roofing paperwork. You want to ensure your shingles have a high wind rating (often up to 130 mph for architectural shingles). If your roof is older (15+ years), the adhesive strips that seal the shingles down may have weakened due to our intense summer heat, making them vulnerable to uplift.

2. The “Zipper Effect”: Why Loose Shingles Matter

You might think one loose tab or a slightly curled shingle isn’t a big deal. In a hurricane, however, it is the weak link in the chain.

Wind dynamics over a roof create “uplift.” If the wind can get under just one loose shingle, it pushes it up, exposing the underside of the next shingle. This creates a domino effect—often called the “zipper effect”—where large sections of roofing are peeled off in seconds, exposing the wood deck to torrential rain.

3. Clear the Canopy: Trees and Spanish Moss

Bluffton is famous for its beautiful oaks and Spanish moss, but they are hazardous during a storm.

• Overhanging Limbs: Any branch touching or hanging over your roof acts like a whip during high winds, scraping off granules or puncturing the decking.
• Spanish Moss: While lightweight, heavy clumps of wet moss can retain moisture against your roof or clog your gutters instantly during a storm, causing water to back up under the shingles.

4. Check Your “Perimeter” (Fascia and Soffits)

Your roof isn’t just shingles. The metal edge flashing, fascia boards, and soffits play a critical role in locking the roof system down.

Take a walk around your home. Do you see any gaps where the soffit meets the wall? Loose fascia boards? High winds can enter these small gaps, creating internal pressure that can actually push the roof up from the inside. Securing these edges is a quick repair that adds significant safety.

5. After the Storm: The Safety Protocol

Once the storm passes, do not climb on your roof. It may be slippery, structure-compromised, or touching live power lines.

Perform a “Ground Inspection” instead:

• Look for shingles in the yard.
• Check for dents on your downspouts (a sign of hail impact).
• Look for dark “bruises” on your shingles from impact.

Get a Pre-Storm Inspection

The best time to fix a roof is when the sun is shining. If you are unsure if your roof can handle the next hurricane season, don’t guess.

Contact New River Roofing today. We know the specific challenges of Bluffton weather, and we can provide a comprehensive inspection to give you peace of mind when the storm warnings start.

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