Warm summer weather means good times with friends and family at the beach, pool, and shaded parks. As you enjoy these lazy weekends with your pets, kids, or on an impromptu trip abroad, you don’t want anything standing in your way of a good time. By being proactive about maintaining your home in the summer, you can rest assured that it will be in good shape even as the temperatures climb.
Summer is prime time to double-check your roof’s condition. More workplaces offer summer Fridays where you can have three-day weekends to take care of personal business and a variety of industries slow down. It’s also a popular time to vacation so taking breaks is expected as opposed to other times of the year.
Why Check Your Roof in the Summer?
Virginian summers can get very hot. We also get some intense thunderstorms with hail. These conditions combined can result in some roof damage. However, if you’re proactive about it, you can minimize or prevent damage. Follow these three tips to keep your roof in good shape as the weather is warm.
Look Out for Moss
While it’s common for moss and algae to grow on the roof and you shouldn’t worry about a small amount, excessive moss or algae can trap moisture underneath and cause damage. Your roof can experience wood rot which can damage its entire infrastructure. Remove moss overgrowth as quickly as possible so that it doesn’t latch on too strongly.
Prevent Gutter Problems
Since we get plenty of rain in the summer, gutter problems often reveal themselves in this season. To prevent sagging, warped, or broken gutters, be sure that your gutter system is in top shape. If your downspouts and gutters are clogged, water will collect on your roof and cause moisture damage like mold and wood rot. Dirt, dead tree blossoms, leaves, seeds, sticks and other forms of debris can also have accumulated since you last cleaned your gutters in the fall. Also, check for these issues:
- Downspouts that aren’t properly secured to your roof
- Any cracks in the downspout material
- Rusting in any part of the gutter system
If you are physically unable to care for your gutters safely, then contact a contractor immediately to get this task done. It’s relatively inexpensive but can prevent costly repairs in the future.
Keep an Eye Out for Ventilation Problems
Faulty ventilation can cause problems all year, but they are also evident in the summer. If your electric bills have started to climb compared to previous summers, then you may have a ventilation problem. When heat can’t escape through your roof, it gets trapped and recirculated in your house, which makes your HVAC work harder. By fixing your ventilation problems, you can make your roof more structurally sound and lower your electric bills.
Get a Roof Inspection
It’s important to stay vigilant about any problems that can slowly develop by getting regular inspections. For example, roofs with shingles can get warped, broken or even missing components. Metal roofs can develop rusty spots and signs of oxidation. This should be done by a professional who has all the proper safety gear to navigate your roof safely. They will also know what to look for, such as punctures, dents, faulty flashing, and other signs of future problems.
In fact, if damage happened in the winter, summer and spring is when homeowners often notice it. Inspections also allow professionals to notice smaller signs of damage that may escape the notice of a typical homeowner.
Noble Roofing: Dependable Roofing Company For Over 20 Years
Whether you may need a roof repair, replacement, inspection or maintenance, rest assured that you can trust Noble Roofing. The impeccable quality that accompany the roofing services we offer for residential and commercial properties puts us heads and shoulders above other roofing contractors in Centreville, VA and the surrounding communities. We’re a local family company so you can trust that you will be treated with care when you come to us with your roofing needs.
To learn more about the roofing solutions we offer, call us today at (703) 404-0505. You can also request a free quote by filling out our contact form.