Hurricane season in Houston isn’t a question of “if”—it’s a question of “when.” From June 1st through November 30th each year, Gulf Coast businesses face the very real threat of tropical storms and hurricanes that can cause devastating roof damage, business interruption, and costly repairs.
The good news? Most hurricane-related roof damage is preventable with proper preparation. A well-maintained TPO roof that’s been properly inspected and prepared can withstand even severe storms—protecting your building, equipment, inventory, and operations when it matters most.
TPO Roofer has helped hundreds of Houston-area businesses protect their commercial roofs through multiple hurricane seasons. Here’s your complete guide to hurricane-proofing your commercial roof before the next storm arrives.
Why Houston Commercial Roofs Are Vulnerable
Houston’s location makes it particularly susceptible to hurricane damage:
Geographic Risk Factors:
- Direct Gulf of Mexico exposure
- Low elevation and flat terrain
- Large metropolitan area with extensive commercial development
- History of major hurricanes (Harvey, Ike, Alicia, and many tropical storms)
Commercial Roof Vulnerabilities:
- Large, flat roof surfaces catch wind like sails
- Rooftop HVAC equipment creates wind resistance
- Aging roof systems with deferred maintenance
- Inadequate drainage leading to water accumulation
- Loose or improperly secured roof components
Hurricane Harvey demonstrated the devastating impact: Thousands of Houston commercial roofs failed, causing billions in damage. Many of these failures were preventable with proper preparation and maintenance.
Start Early: Don’t Wait Until a Storm is Approaching
The time to prepare your roof is NOW—not when a hurricane is in the Gulf.
Here’s why early preparation is critical:
- Roofing contractors are overwhelmed once storms approach
- Materials become scarce as everyone rushes to prepare
- Inspections and repairs take time you won’t have during storm warnings
- Insurance documentation requires advance planning
- Your team needs time to implement emergency procedures
Best practice: Complete hurricane preparation by May 1st, before hurricane season officially begins June 1st.
Step 1: Schedule a Professional Pre-Season Roof Inspection
Your first and most important step is a comprehensive professional roof inspection.
What inspectors look for:
Membrane Condition
- Punctures, tears, or weak spots that wind can exploit
- Loose or poorly adhered seams
- UV damage or weathering
- Areas of membrane shrinkage
Drainage Systems
- Clogged drains or scuppers
- Damaged drain components
- Ponding water areas
- Gutter and downspout condition
Flashings and Penetrations
- Loose or damaged wall flashings
- Compromised penetration seals
- Deteriorated edge metal or coping
- Weak points around rooftop equipment
Roof Accessories
- Loose equipment supports or curbs
- Unsecured HVAC units or equipment
- Damaged walkway pads
- Missing or loose fasteners
Why professional inspection matters: Trained roofing professionals identify vulnerabilities you’ll miss. Small problems that seem insignificant in normal weather become catastrophic failure points during hurricanes.
TPO Roofer offers pre-season hurricane inspections specifically designed to identify and address storm vulnerabilities. Call 409-739-7858 to schedule yours today.
Step 2: Address All Identified Issues Immediately
Your inspection report will prioritize repairs based on urgency and storm risk.
Critical repairs (complete immediately):
- Any loose or damaged membrane areas
- Failed or weak seams
- Compromised flashings or penetrations
- Drainage system problems
- Loose edge metal or coping
- Unsecured rooftop equipment
Important repairs (complete before season starts):
- Minor membrane damage
- Aging or weathered components
- Preventive sealing of vulnerable areas
- Drainage improvements
Don’t defer repairs until after hurricane season. The repair you skip in April could cause $50,000 in damage in August.
Step 3: Ensure Proper Drainage
Clogged drains are the #1 cause of hurricane roof damage after wind.
Heavy rainfall—often 10-20+ inches during hurricanes—must drain quickly. When drains can’t keep up, water accumulates, adding thousands of pounds of weight to your roof structure and creating conditions for catastrophic failure.
Pre-season drainage preparation:
- Clear all drains and strainers of debris, leaves, and buildup
- Inspect drain components for damage or deterioration
- Test drainage flow with water to verify proper function
- Clear gutters and downspouts completely
- Verify scuppers and overflow drains are functional
- Remove any debris from roof surface that could clog drains
Consider drainage improvements:
- Additional drains in ponding areas
- Larger drain strainers to prevent clogging
- Secondary overflow drains for redundancy
- Tapered insulation to improve positive drainage
Proper drainage protects against both wind damage and the massive rainfall hurricanes bring.
Step 4: Secure All Rooftop Equipment and Accessories
Loose rooftop equipment becomes dangerous projectiles in hurricane winds—damaging your roof, neighboring buildings, and creating liability issues.
Equipment to secure:
HVAC Units and Equipment
- Verify all mounting bolts and supports
- Check equipment curb condition
- Ensure proper tie-down systems
- Consider additional hurricane strapping for older units
Satellite Dishes and Antennas
- Inspect mounting systems
- Remove temporary or unused equipment
- Consider removing dishes if storm is imminent
Exhaust Vents and Pipes
- Check flashing and sealing
- Verify secure attachment
- Cap or cover openings if possible
Walkway Pads and Accessories
- Ensure proper adhesion
- Remove loose items
- Secure or remove anything that could blow away
Signage and Decorative Elements
- Inspect mounting systems
- Consider removing vulnerable signage
- Secure or remove anything not permanently attached
One loose HVAC unit can destroy an entire roof section and cause hundreds of thousands in damage. Proper securing is essential.
Step 5: Trim Nearby Trees and Remove Debris
Trees and debris are major sources of hurricane roof damage.
Pre-season tree maintenance:
- Trim all branches within 10 feet of your building
- Remove dead or weak branches that could fall
- Consider removing trees that pose significant risk
- Clear your property of loose items that could become projectiles
Roof surface preparation:
- Remove all debris from roof surface
- Clear any accumulated dirt or vegetation
- Remove temporary equipment or materials
- Ensure nothing loose remains on the roof
Even small branches become dangerous missiles in 100+ mph winds. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.
Step 6: Document Your Roof’s Condition
Before hurricane season, thoroughly document your roof’s condition for insurance purposes.
Documentation should include:
- Professional inspection report with photos
- Date-stamped photographs of entire roof
- Photos of all equipment and accessories
- Documentation of all repairs completed
- Maintenance records
- Warranty information
Why this matters: After a storm, you’ll need to prove what damage is new versus pre-existing. Complete documentation protects your insurance claim and speeds the claims process.
Store documentation in multiple locations:
- Physical copies off-site
- Digital copies in cloud storage
- Copies with your insurance agent
- Copies with your roofing contractor
Step 7: Develop an Emergency Response Plan
Have a plan in place before storms threaten.
Your plan should include:
Pre-Storm Actions (72 hours before landfall)
- Final roof inspection
- Clear all drains one more time
- Secure any remaining loose items
- Move valuable equipment away from vulnerable areas
- Photograph roof condition
- Contact your roofing contractor to schedule post-storm inspection
During Storm
- Monitor for leaks or damage
- Document any problems that develop
- Stay safe—never access the roof during the storm
Post-Storm Actions (immediately after)
- Conduct interior inspection for leaks or damage
- Photograph any damage from ground level
- Do NOT access roof until safe
- Call your roofing contractor for emergency inspection
- Contact insurance company if damage occurred
- Begin emergency repairs to prevent further damage
Emergency Contact List:
- TPO Roofer 24/7 Emergency: 409-739-7858
- Your insurance agent
- Your property manager
- Emergency restoration services
- Building inspector (if needed)
Step 8: Consider Preventive Upgrades
If your roof is aging or has known vulnerabilities, consider preventive upgrades before hurricane season:
High-Impact Upgrades:
Enhanced Fastening Systems
- Additional fasteners in vulnerable areas
- Upgraded attachment for better wind resistance
- Reinforced edge details and perimeter
Improved Drainage
- Additional drains in problem areas
- Larger capacity drainage systems
- Secondary overflow protection
Equipment Securing Systems
- Hurricane strapping for HVAC units
- Reinforced equipment supports
- Additional tie-downs for vulnerable equipment
Membrane Reinforcement
- Additional layers in vulnerable areas
- Reinforced flashings and penetrations
- Upgraded edge metal systems
These upgrades pay for themselves by preventing damage during the next major storm.
What to Do When a Hurricane Threatens
Once a hurricane enters the Gulf and threatens Houston:
5-7 Days Before Landfall:
- Monitor storm forecasts closely
- Alert your team and implement emergency procedures
- Conduct final roof inspection
- Complete any last-minute securing
- Confirm emergency contact information
2-3 Days Before Landfall:
- Clear all drains one final time
- Remove any remaining loose items
- Move valuable equipment to safe areas
- Document roof condition with photos
- Confirm post-storm inspection scheduling
Day Before/Day Of:
- Final interior preparation
- Secure building access
- Evacuate if necessary
- Do NOT attempt roof access
After the Storm:
- Wait for all-clear from authorities
- Inspect for damage from ground level
- Call TPO Roofer immediately if damage suspected: 409-739-7858
- Document all damage with photos
- Begin insurance claim process
Post-Storm Inspection is Critical
Even if you see no obvious damage, schedule a professional post-storm inspection.
Why post-storm inspection matters:
- Hidden damage may not be visible from ground level
- Small damage worsens quickly if not addressed
- Insurance claims require professional documentation
- Early repairs prevent secondary damage
TPO Roofer provides priority post-storm inspections for clients who completed pre-season preparation. We document all damage and provide complete reports for insurance claims.
Hurricane Season Preparation Checklist
Complete these tasks before June 1st:
☐ Schedule professional pre-season roof inspection☐ Complete all critical repairs identified☐ Clear and test all drainage systems☐ Secure all rooftop equipment and accessories☐ Trim trees and remove debris☐ Document roof condition with photos and reports☐ Develop emergency response plan☐ Update emergency contact list☐ Review insurance coverage☐ Consider preventive upgrades if needed☐ Schedule post-storm inspection in advance
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Hurricane preparation isn’t optional for Houston commercial property owners—it’s essential business protection. The cost of preparation is a fraction of the cost of hurricane damage, business interruption, and emergency repairs.
Every hurricane season, we see the same pattern: Buildings that were properly prepared suffer minimal damage. Buildings that deferred maintenance or skipped preparation face catastrophic failures and massive repair bills.
Which category will your building be in?
Schedule Your Pre-Season Hurricane Inspection Today
TPO Roofer specializes in hurricane preparation for Houston-area commercial roofs. Our comprehensive pre-season inspections identify vulnerabilities, and our experienced crews complete all necessary repairs before storm season arrives.
Don’t wait until storms are in the Gulf and contractors are overwhelmed.
Call TPO Roofer at 409-739-7854 to schedule your pre-season hurricane inspection, or fill out our contact form below.
Protect your building. Protect your business. Prepare your roof today.