Pre-Hurricane Roof Maintenance Checklist
Hurricane season starts June 1 in the Rio Grande Valley. The 60 days before — April and May — are your last chance to harden the roof at off-peak pricing.
The checklist
### 1. Trim trees back 6 feet from roof (free or $200-$800)
Branches that scrape in wind strip granules off shingles. Branches that fall in storms cause $5k+ decking damage.
### 2. Photograph the entire roof from every angle (free)
Time-stamped before-storm photos are your insurance evidence baseline.
Take photos from: - Each compass direction at ground level - Multiple angles around penetrations - Attic interior - Yard (showing tree-house relationship)
Upload to cloud, not just phone.
### 3. Inspect and repair flashing details ($0-$1,200)
Most hurricane-induced leaks come through compromised flashing, not through shingles. Check around chimney, valleys, skylights, pipe penetrations, where roof meets walls or dormers.
### 4. Verify gutters drain freely (free DIY; $100-$200 hiring)
Run a hose into gutters. Water should flow continuously to the downspout exit.
### 5. Check ridge cap fastening (visual from ground)
Ridge caps are the highest, most wind-exposed part of the roof. Loose or curled caps = first failure point.
### 6. Verify sealant integrity at all penetrations ($0-$600)
What to check: - Sealant around vent pipes - Sealant where chimney meets shingles - Sealant at flashing edges
If anything is brittle, cracked, or peeling: replace with high-quality silicone or polyurethane sealant.
### 7. Inspect attic for hidden damage (free DIY)
Climb in with a flashlight. Look for: - Daylight visible through roof boards - Wet spots or active staining - Brittle, dark, or warped decking - Moldy or wet insulation
### 8. Document insurance + emergency contacts (free, 15 min)
Confirm in writing: - Carrier name + policy number - Hurricane deductible amount (often 1-5% of dwelling value) - Carrier 24/7 claims phone number - Trusted local roofer's emergency number — save (956) 600-0501
What we DON'T recommend
- Don't apply sealant on top of unfailing shingles - Don't tarp a healthy roof "just in case" - Don't wait for a named storm
Pricing for pro-level prep
| Service | Cost | |---------|------| | Pre-storm inspection + report | $150-$300 (sometimes free) | | Sealant refresh on all penetrations | $400-$800 | | Ridge cap re-fastening | $300-$600 | | Tree trimming (typical RGV home) | $400-$1,200 |
Bundle = $1,500-$3,000 for a fully prepared roof.
Common questions
### When should I do this?
Before June 1. April and May are ideal. After June 1, roofer schedules tighten and prices rise.
### Will Baccaro do the pre-storm prep?
Yes. We do free pre-storm inspections. Quoted repairs separately.
### Post-storm response?
After a named storm, we deploy emergency tarp service same-day or next-day across the [Rio Grande Valley](/areas).
Schedule your pre-hurricane inspection
(956) 600-0501 — free pre-hurricane inspection across the RGV. Bilingual crew, available April and May.
Related reading
- [Roof Maintenance Schedule for the RGV](/blog/roof-maintenance-schedule-rgv) - [Storm Damage Roof Repair in the RGV](/blog/storm-damage-roof-repair-rio-grande-valley) - [First 24 Hours After Roof Storm Damage](/blog/first-24-hours-after-storm-damage) - [Steel vs Shingles for Hurricane Wind](/blog/steel-vs-shingles-hurricane-wind)