When summer rolls around, it’s important that your roof is in good shape. You need your roof to effectively operate so that it withstands the hot temperatures and summer thunderstorms. Performing a quick check can ensure that your roof is up to par. Making a mental (or literal) checklist of the best summer roof maintenance tips can drastically help with this process.
You may be wondering why summer roof maintenance tips are important. After all, summer weather may seem calmer than winter weather. However, summer brings its own challenging conditions: high heat, thunderstorms, pounding rain and heavy winds. You need to run at least a quick check to ensure that:
• Summer heat and storms are no match for you roof
• Your roof can operate ad function as it should
• Your roof’s life expectancy is on track or can even be extended
Inspect Your Roof
It’s important to visually inspect your roof from the ground every summer. Do a complete walk around of your house to look for dented or damaged shingles, missing shingles, fungal growth or any type of moss growth. Also look for any debris build up or damage to your roof.
Inspect Flashing
The flashing, or metal strips around the vents, satellite dish, vents, chimney, or any other type of roof extension should be checked at least once a year or after harsh weather. This can deteriorate over time, so it’s important to stay on top of checking this roof element out.
Check the Gutters
First, check for gutters that may have become loose, which can happen after storms or harsh weather. Tighten every bolt and make sure that the gutters are aligned so that it effectively diverts water away from our home. Then, check the gutters for debris and any blockages. Flower blossoms, twigs, leaves, trash ad other things can build up in your gutters, causing blockages. Too much debris in your gutters can also cause them to bend and break, so be on the lookout for that as well. Once you’ve cleared them, you can perform a simple test to make sure they are working perfectly: spray some water from a garden hose through the gutters. If the water flows freely with no leaking or blockages, then your gutters are good to go.
Trim Foliage
Don’t forget to take care of the trees. During summer storms, over hanging limbs can break off and potentially cause a lot of damage to your roof. You want to look for dead branches that are hanging over or near your home and backyard to ensure that your risk for damage is minimal.
Have a Professional Inspect Your Roof
After inspecting yourself, it’s a good idea to schedule an inspection with your roofing company. They are the experts and can confirm that your roof is in good, working condition. They can also let you know if you need any repairs and, depending on how big the repair is, be able to fix it for you right then and there. They will be able to search every inch of your roof and get to places that you might not be able to. They also know what to look for and can find problem areas that seemed okay at first glance.
When inspecting your roof yourself, make sure that you are safe by following a few tips. First, pick a clear, calm day – you don’t want to be up there during rain or a storm. Make sure the bottoms of your shoes are free of mud and dirt so that they have good traction (they should have rubber soles). Always leave the steep or very high parts of your roof to the professionals.
After completing your summer roof maintenance tips checklist, contact the professionals just to be sure. Preman Roofing is a licensed roof and solar contractor. They have over 18 years of experience and have installed over 20,000 roof and solar systems. With American made products and the best warranty in the industry, they offer their customers unparalleled service.
