Your Roof and Summer

The summer months can be especially tough on a roof. High heat and very dry weather can wreak havoc on just about any type of roofing that you have on your home or business. The light from the sun, the heat from the sun and other extreme weather conditions that are typical in the summer can pose specific hazards for the durability of your roof. Being a homeowner, there are things that you can do to help relieve some of the stress put on your roof during these months. If you are not one to just pay a person to maintain something for your home, then some of these tips would be a priority for you to follow. Because UV rays from the sun can cause some shingles to shrink up or crack, just doing an overall visual inspection is the first thing that you can accomplish.

Even though seeing some small defects in your shingles might not seem like a big deal, it can lead to larger problems that are going to cost you a lot more money to fix. If you live along the coast, you might have other things besides the sun to worry about, including salty mist from the ocean. There are some sealers and coatings that you can buy that will prevent the UV rays from getting to your roof, or it could be as simple as choosing a lighter colored shingle for your roof. Having a lighter colored roof shingle will not attract as much sunlight compared to the typical dark black shingle you see on most homes throughout the country. Because trees can grow many feet per year, it would be wise to keep an eye on them if they are close to your home.

Branches from trees or other shrubs could easily rub a hole right through your shingle. Trim the branches each summer if they are getting near the shingles. The wind can cause the branch to move and if it is rubbing on your shingle, that can cause problems leading to leaks and other damage. When you experience a severe storm in your area, it is a good idea to inspect your roof right after the storm has passed. Strong winds and high amounts of rainfall can cause shingles to come loose or rip from your roof. If that is the case, you are going to want to have the missing shingles replaced as soon as possible. This task might be a little more complex than ones that you want to deal with, but a professional roofing contractor can replace a few shingles with ease. Before the next storm arrives, it would be a good idea to make sure the missing shingles are replaced.

Storms can also cause debris to fly around and even hit your roof. Make sure that your shingles are free from debris at all times in order to ensure that the shingles are doing the job they are intended to do. If you see large branches or leaves piled up in a valley, climb up there and make sure you are able to remove them as soon as possible. When working on your roof in the summer months, make sure to do the work in the early morning hours or later on during the evening. Doing roof work with the sun beating down on the shingles can cause them to break or rip under the pressure of walking on them. Always make note of each piece of damage no matter how large or small, that way you have something to compare to in your notes from year to year.

Taking good care of your roof each summer is very important and if you live in an area that experiences all four seasons, the inspections are even more important. If you live on the coast and are experiencing hurricane type storms on a regular basis, then making sure your gutters are clear and shingles are in tact is important because moving rain off the roof is top priority. Regular maintenance as a homeowner is going to save you money and time in the long run and that is why it is so important.