It’s never too early to think about preparing your facility for heavy storms – especially now that our region is in the heart of 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 overexposed 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 cold 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 family-owned and operated business 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.  Highland delivers quality work at a competitive price and is committed to completing the project as promised, ensuring its clients recommend Highland to their friends and colleagues -- which is the ultimate compliment. For more information visit highlandroofingcompany.com
 
Author: David Grandey, Sales And Marketing Manager

David Grandey is Sales and Marketing Manager for Highland Roofing Company where he is a member of the senior management team and maximizes the company’s sales efforts by leading Highland’s account management team. He also oversees all marketing and community relations efforts.  

David is very active in the growth of the eastern North Carolina commercial real estate community through a variety of leadership roles with two chapters of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), IFMA and ULI and memberships in NAIOP, CMAA, NCHEA and NCEDA.