Inspect
Covering, flashing, edges, penetrations and the attic for moisture.
SEASON GUIDE · JUNE 1 TO NOVEMBER 30
Preparing your Miami roof for hurricane season.
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The best time to deal with a weak roof detail is before the first storm, when repairs can be scheduled calmly and materials are available.
THE SHORT VERSION
Key points
- Have the roof inspected before the season, especially if it is older or had leaks last year.
- Clear gutters, drains and scuppers and trim branches over the roof.
- After a storm, stay off the roof, photograph damage from the ground and protect the interior.
- In Florida it is illegal for contractors to offer gifts or deductible waivers for a roof inspection or claim.
BEFORE THE SEASON
A pre-season roof checklist for South Florida.
Spring is the right time for a roof inspection. The inspector looks for loose or broken tiles, lifted shingles, worn flashing, failed sealant at penetrations and soft spots in the deck. Small detail repairs done in April or May are far easier to schedule than emergency work in September.
Around the property, clear gutters, downspouts, roof drains and scuppers so heavy rain can leave the roof, and trim branches that overhang it. On flat roofs, check that nothing loose sits on the roof surface. Photograph the roof from the ground and keep the pictures with your property records; they help show the roof's condition before a storm.
Clear
Gutters, drains, scuppers and loose items on flat roofs.
Document
Dated photos of the roof and interior ceilings.
WHEN A STORM IS COMING
What a roofer can and cannot do in the final days.
Once a storm is forecast, roofers focus on securing open jobs and urgent leaks; there is rarely time for full repairs. If your roof is mid-replacement, ask the contractor how the roof will be dried in and secured. Inside, move valuables away from areas that have leaked before.
AFTER THE STORM
Safety first, then document and protect.
Do not climb onto a wet or damaged roof. Stay away from downed power lines and keep clear of water near electrical fixtures. From the ground, photograph visible damage, then photograph any interior leaks. Catch dripping water, move belongings and, if a ceiling sags with water, keep people away from it.
Temporary protection, such as a tarp, can limit further water entry until a permanent repair is made. Then request an inspection; see roof leak repair in Miami. If you plan to file an insurance claim, contact your insurer directly. Under current Florida law (section 627.70132), notice of a new or reopened property claim generally must be given within one year of the date of loss, and supplemental claims within 18 months; confirm the deadlines for your policy with your insurer.
AVOID POST-STORM SCAMS
Red flags when someone knocks on your door.
After major storms, unlicensed or aggressive solicitors often appear. Florida law (section 489.147) prohibits contractors from offering gifts, cash, rebates or a waiver of your insurance deductible in exchange for a roof inspection or for filing a claim, and from interpreting your policy or negotiating your claim unless they are licensed public adjusters. Treat any such offer as a warning sign.
Verify a contractor's license with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation before signing, ask for a written scope, avoid paying large amounts upfront and do not sign documents that assign your insurance benefits without understanding them. DOM does not interpret policies, adjust claims or offer anything in exchange for an inspection.
SOURCES AND LIMITS
Where this information comes from
- National Hurricane Center
- Section 489.147, Florida Statutes
- Section 627.70132, Florida Statutes
- Florida DBPR license verification
This guide is general information for South Florida property owners, not legal, insurance or engineering advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with the building department, your insurer or a licensed professional for your property.
QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING
Hurricane Roof Preparation in Miami: Before and After: Questions
Clear answers make it easier to choose the right next step for your property.
01When is hurricane season in Miami?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
02When should I have my roof inspected?
Before the season starts is ideal, and again after any major storm. Older roofs and roofs with past leaks benefit most.
03Should I get on my roof after a storm?
No. Photograph damage from the ground and leave roof access to a roofer with proper equipment.
04Can a roofer waive my insurance deductible?
No. Florida law prohibits contractors from offering deductible waivers, gifts or rebates in exchange for a roof inspection or claim.
05How do I check a roofing contractor's license?
Search the contractor on the Florida DBPR license verification site, myfloridalicense.com.
KEEP READING
More Miami roofing guides.
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ROOFING GUIDEMiami-Dade Roof Permits, NOA and HVHZ Explained
What a permit covers, what an NOA is and why the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone changes the job.
ROOFING GUIDEFlorida 25 Percent Roof Rule: What Changed in 2022
When a partial repair must meet current code, the 2022 exception and the "25-year roof" confusion.
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