5 Signs Your Tampa Bay Roof Needs Attention Before Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season Is Closer Than You Think

June 1 marks the official start of Atlantic hurricane season, but Tampa Bay homeowners who wait until May to think about their roof are already behind. February and March are the ideal window to identify problems and schedule repairs — before every roofer in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties is booked solid.

After 30 years of roofing in the Tampa Bay area, FL Brandon Roofing has seen what happens when small problems go unaddressed. A loose flashing in March becomes a ceiling leak in August. Here are five signs your roof needs professional attention now.

1. Granules in Your Gutters

Check your gutters and downspouts after the next rain. If you see a buildup of dark, sand-like granules, your asphalt shingles are losing their protective layer. Some granule loss is normal on newer roofs, but heavy accumulation — especially on roofs older than 15 years — means your shingles are nearing the end of their useful life.

Why it matters for hurricane season: Shingles without adequate granule coverage become brittle and are far more likely to crack, lift, or blow off in high winds. They also lose UV protection, which accelerates deterioration in Tampa Bay’s intense sun.

2. Cracked or Curling Shingles

Walk your property and look at your roof from ground level. You don’t need to climb up there — binoculars work fine. Look for shingles that are curling at the edges, cracked down the middle, or visibly out of alignment with their neighbors.

In the Tampa Bay climate, thermal cycling (hot days, cooler nights) combined with UV exposure causes shingles to dry out and curl over time. Curled shingles create entry points for wind-driven rain, which is exactly what hurricanes deliver.

3. Damaged or Missing Flashing

Flashing is the metal or rubber material installed around roof penetrations — vents, chimneys, skylights, and where the roof meets a wall. It’s one of the most common failure points on any roof, and it’s often the first thing to go in a storm.

Look for rust, gaps, or flashing that appears to be pulling away from the surface. If you had any work done on your roof in the past few years — satellite dish installation, solar panels, even a new vent — check those areas carefully. Improperly sealed penetrations are a leading cause of interior water damage during storms.

4. Soft Spots or Sagging

If you can safely access your attic, look up at the roof decking (the plywood layer beneath the shingles). Any dark staining, soft spots, or visible sagging means moisture has already gotten in and is compromising the structural integrity of your roof.

This is not a “watch and wait” situation. Weakened decking can fail catastrophically under hurricane-force winds or even during a strong afternoon thunderstorm — something Tampa Bay gets dozens of between June and September.

From inside the attic, also check for daylight coming through the roof boards. Even small pinholes of light indicate gaps that water will find.

5. Your Roof Is Over 20 Years Old

Most standard asphalt shingle roofs in Florida are rated for 20 to 25 years, but Tampa Bay’s combination of heat, humidity, salt air (especially in Pinellas County), and storm exposure means many roofs show serious wear well before that mark.

If your roof was installed before 2006, it was also built to an older building code. Florida significantly strengthened its roofing codes after the 2004-2005 hurricane seasons. A roof replacement now means your new roof will meet current wind resistance standards — which also affects your insurance premiums.

The Insurance Connection

Here’s something many Tampa Bay homeowners don’t realize until it’s too late: Florida insurance companies are actively dropping or non-renewing policies on homes with older roofs. If your roof is over 15 years old, your insurer may require an inspection before renewing your policy.

Getting ahead of this is smart for two reasons:

• A new roof can significantly lower your insurance premiums. Roofs built to current Florida Building Code standards qualify for wind mitigation credits that can save hundreds per year.
• Filing a claim on a neglected roof can result in denial. Insurers routinely deny claims when they determine damage resulted from lack of maintenance rather than a specific storm event.

A professional roof inspection now — before hurricane season — gives you documentation of your roof’s condition and time to address any issues on your schedule, not the insurance company’s.

What a Professional Inspection Covers

A thorough roof inspection from FL Brandon Roofing includes:

• Full examination of all roofing materials (shingles, tile, metal, or flat roof membrane)
• Flashing inspection at every penetration and transition point
• Gutter and drainage assessment
• Attic inspection for moisture, ventilation, and structural issues
• Written report with photos documenting current condition
• Honest assessment of remaining useful life

We’ve been serving Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties for over 30 years. Whether you need a quick repair or a full replacement, we’ll give you a straight answer about what your roof actually needs.

Don’t Wait for the First Tropical Storm Warning

Every year, we get a flood of calls the week a storm enters the Gulf. By then, materials are scarce, crews are stretched thin, and temporary fixes are the best anyone can offer. The homeowners who come through hurricane season best are the ones who handled their roof work months earlier.

If you’ve noticed any of these five signs — or if it’s simply been a few years since anyone looked at your roof — now is the time. Call FL Brandon Roofing at (813) 538-8200 to schedule a free inspection at our Tampa Bay office.