Cape Coral Rental Roof Checklist

Tenants rarely think about the roof until water drips from the ceiling. In Cape Coral, where most of the year's 56 or so inches of rain falls in heavy summer storms and hurricane season runs from June through November, an early report can be the difference between a small repair and soaked drywall and mold. This checklist tells tenants what to watch for.

Report within a day or two

• A new stain, bubble or crack in a ceiling, especially near exterior walls
• Shingles, tile pieces or flashing in the yard or on the lanai
• Water dripping at the edge of a lanai roof or screen enclosure
• Gutters overflowing or pulling loose
• A musty smell in a closet or bedroom

Report right away

• Water dripping from a ceiling, light fixture or AC vent
• A sagging ceiling
• A tree limb on the roof after a storm
• Damage of any kind after a hurricane or tropical storm

What tenants can safely do

1. Never climb onto the roof, especially when it's wet or after a storm
2. Catch drips in a bucket and move belongings and electronics away
3. Take photos of stains and any damage you can see from the ground
4. Tell the manager the date and time the leak appeared and how heavy the rain was

Hurricane season

Before a storm, bring in patio furniture and anything loose on the lanai. After it passes, look from the ground for missing shingles or tiles and check ceilings over the next few days. More: checking your roof after a Southwest Florida storm.

Is it the roof or the AC?

In Florida, air handlers in attics can drip condensation that looks just like a roof leak. If water appears near an AC vent on a dry day, mention that when you report it.

For property managers

A spring roof check before June prevents many summer leak calls. For service, see roof repair, roof leak repair, flat and lanai roofs and roof inspections.