Is your roof hurricane-ready? The red flags that could lead to costly damage

Fall is peak hurricane season, is your roof ready?

Your roof is one of the most critical defenses your home has against rain, hail and wind. USA TODAY talked to the experts, and here's how to tell if your roof is hurricane-ready.

"Storms can damage your roof in many ways, from ripping shingles and weatherproofing off to partially or entirely removing the roof from the rest of the structure," says William McGavin, the owner of Sundance Roofing & Painting, a family-owned contractor in Arizona.

Even just a bit of damage to the roof or your windows can lead to your roof coming off the top of your house. But this doesn't happen all at once.

"I've found that the worst roof damage is done to homes that already had existing issues." This damage might include aging underlayment, loose flashing, under-driven nails or brittle decking. All of these problems can be exposed during a hurricane. "In general, wind doesn't tear a roof off all at once," says McGavin. "It finds the weakest spot, lifts it, and works its way across from there."

A roof's ability to withstand a storm depends on its current condition, not simply its age. Most homeowners don't…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/