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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

Summer Roof Maintenance Tips

The blazing sun can cause more harm than you can imagine; your roof is essential as it keeps the elements out all year. Roof maintenance during the summer months can help you avoid paying a lot of money for repairs later.  The summer season is long, but it is also the best time to maintain your roof.  As a result, include roof maintenance on your summer to-do list. Use these tips to make roofing maintenance easier and keep your roof safe from the summer heat and in good shape all year.

Roof inspection

The first step in summer roofing maintenance is visually inspecting it.  If possible, walk around your roof to look for cracked or damaged spots.  An inspection is required before determining which areas of your roof require maintenance.  You can do this yourself if you know what to look for, or you can hire a professional to ensure you don’t miss anything.

Ice in winter and heat, rain & wind in summer can cause significant damage to your roof, so while the weather is nice in the summer, it is critical to have your roof inspected by a professional.  If you are inspecting on your own, make sure to follow these safety precautions:

• Always wear appropriate safety equipment.

• As a precaution, bring someone with you.

• Make sure your ladder is steady.

• To avoid an unwelcome accident, inspect your roof with fall protection equipment.

• Make sure you’re aware of where you’re going so you don’t damage the roof.

Keep debris away from your downspouts and gutters

Gutters clogged with leaves and sometimes with bird nests will prevent rain from falling.  When this occurs, the downspouts are rendered useless as the water is forced over the sides of your roof onto the ground.  If ignored for an extended time, this can cause damage to your exterior siding.  Make it a routine to clean out your gutter system twice a year.  Moreover, harsh weather can cause gutters to be loose, resulting in cracks that lead to leakage and even flooding.  Examine the area for leaks.  Walk around the house tightening all of your gutter bolts and realigning them. If you don’t find any, you should be fine. If you discover leaks beyond your ability to repair, hire a professional to repair or replace them.

Repair damage

Roof damage can cause disaster, so you must address them immediately if you discover any flaws.  It is critical to repair any damage as soon as possible to avoid further damage and more expensive repairs later on.  Also, ask a roofing contractor how much repair is needed before you consider getting a new roof.

Waterproofing is a must

Do you live in an area with a lot of humidity or near the ocean?  Then the damaging salt spray can be an issue.  Installing a waterproofing coating on your roof can be a great first step. It protects against moisture damage and prevents water from entering your home.  A waterproofing layer on the roof before summer is a must if you live in a wet climate.  The combination of heat, humidity, and water can cause rapid collapse.

Keep an eye on your skylight

Check your home’s skylight  and ensure the metal stripping isn’t leaking.  After every major summer storm, you must check to ensure no leaks have formed around the skylight.  Hailstorms can also cause glass damage.  Because the window is so far away, that crack is often indistinguishable. Make sure to inspect your skylight at least twice a summer to ensure it is in good working order.

Trim Trees Before Summer Storms

It is not just about winters, storms can cause roof storm damage.  In fact, even summer storms can be as damaging for your roofing system as it gets.  So, trimming the surrounding trees should also be an important part of your summer roof maintenance.  Large trees and overhanging branches can destroy a perfectly functional roofing system.  If you have trees or heavy branches hanging over your roof, you should trim or remove them before summer storms.  This part of roof maintenance is especially important before summers as during the winter, it is likely that the weight of snow might have weakened the trees surrounding your roof.  So when summers come around, these compromised trees can always be a risk during big storms.

Check for Mold, Moss, and Algae

Summer heat usually brings with it rains and excessive humidity.  And these two conditions are ideal for algae growth.  Gradually, algae can cause rot, damaging your shingles and ultimately leading to roof decay.  But it is not only the roof where you should look for algae growth, it can also be found in gutters due to the water buildup.  So, in summers, algae growth can especially damage your roof and gutters if it is left untreated.  Similarly, moss also causes roof damage by making the shingles to curl and crack.  Heavy moss coverage on your shingles can block water, retain moisture under the shingles, and over time damage the structural integrity.  So, if you notice moss, mold or algae on your roof, it is best to remove it yourself or get a professional roof inspection and repair to get rid of it.

Analyze Roof Insulation and Attic Ventilation

Proper maintenance of your ventilation and insulation systems keeps your roof in good condition and helps you save money on your bills.  When it comes to insulation, most property owners associate it with staying warm in the winter.  But insulation can do much more than keeping you warm in winters.  In fact, insulation is just as critical to keeping your home cool during the summer as it is for keeping your house warm in winters.  So, before you head into summers, make sure that your home has the right amount of insulation and that humidity or roof leaks have not caused any damage to it.  Also make sure your attic ventilation adequately regulates temperature and prevents moisture retention.  A professional roof inspection in this regard can help you calculate the right ventilation for your roofing system.

Inspect Your Skylight, Vents and Pipes

Any areas on your roof where there is an opening such as a skylight or vent should be checked periodically for signs of damage.  Checking seals and flashing is a good way to make sure that there is no opportunity for leaks to occur.  When there are cracks or damage to openings in your roof, this is one of the easiest ways that water can enter your home. 

CALL A PROFESSIONAL

To keep your roof looking good and functioning properly, you should have it inspected with each change of season.  The essential thing to remember is that hiring a licensed and professional roofing contractor is the most profitable way to care for your roof and get it back in working order when problems or damage are discovered.

Taking the time to perform some quick roof checks and minor roofing system maintenance ensures the top 2 important things:

• Your roof is capable of withstanding the summer heat and storms.

• Your roof is in a nice working condition.

Conclusion

If you still believe that roof maintenance is only necessary for the winter, it’s time to inspect your roof for damage.  The key point to remember is that appointing a certified and experienced roofing company is a great way to care for your roof and restore it when problems or damage are discovered.  Routine roof maintenance will allow you to save both time and money.