Tips for summer roof maintenance

The hottest time of year has arrived. Unfortunately, your roof may be damaged by the scorching sun that comes with it. During the heat of this season, you can do a few things to prepare your home. Keep your roof in good shape with these summer roof maintenance tips.

Take a look at your attic

Attic air is heated by solar rays absorbed by the roof during the day. Heat buildup in an attic with poor ventilation can shorten the lifespan of your roof. In addition, shingles can crack and curl due to the heat, resulting in leaks. Attic insulation is critical for keeping summer heat and moisture out of the attic.

While performing summer roof maintenance, be sure to check for signs of moisture and mold in the attic and rafters since these can indicate an issue with water leakage.
You can see the following signs of roof mold damage from your attic:

• An attic with watermarks may have a hole in the roof.
• You may have a leaky roof if you notice musty odors from your attic or mildew on your ceiling.
• Your rafters may appear discolored since water has been absorbed into the wood.

Inspect and replace missing shingles

The replacement of shingles may seem simple, but using the wrong nails or placing new shingles over old ones can cause further damage. There is a chance that an incorrect shingle could fade or crack. If you walk on damaged shingles while inspecting a roof, you might cause more damage and cause leaks in the future. The health and safety of your roof may be impacted even by minor patchwork repairs. Due to these problems, many homeowners hire professionals to replace missing shingles.

Tree limbs should be removed and trimmed

Trim overhanging trees regularly, so they do not break after a storm. Despite the tree’s health and robustness, it can still break and land on your roof during harsh summer storms. In addition, your shingles can be scraped and layers of asphalt stripped by low-hanging branches. These branches also drop leaves and twigs that clog your gutters. With cedar shake roofs, you should be extra cautious about trimming overhanging branches since they are prone to moisture buildup.

What is the recommended distance between tree branches and your roof? Keep tree branches at least eight to ten feet away for your roof’s protection.

Dispose of any debris

Get rid of any debris accumulated on your roof over the summer. A branch or twig can poke a hole in the roof and cause a leak. The sun’s rays are adequately reflected by a clean roof, which keeps your home from overheating during the summer.

Safety should be your top priority when removing debris from your roof. Use a safety harness. For parts of the roof that you cannot reach, use a leaf blower and wear slip-resistant shoes.

Remember to never power wash your roof! The power washing process can lift shingles and expose them to further wind damage. Hiring a professional is best if you are apprehensive about getting on your roof.

Replace loose gutters and clean them up

It’s not fun to spend your afternoon cleaning your gutters, but it’s the key to preventing severe damage to your house. The summer is a great time to clean your gutters because many things can clog up your gutters and drains, such as leaves, dirt, birds’ nests, and more. Clogged gutters may have insects crawling around. In addition, clogged gutters provide nesting material for animals such as mice and squirrels.

Having clogged gutters will result in water accumulating on your roof and sitting underneath your shingles – the perfect breeding ground for mold and decay. Is there a sagging effect on your gutters? Your gutter can bend and sag if you have not cleaned your gutters for a long time. It is even possible that they may begin to pull away from your house.

Contact EDCA Roofing

Keeping your roof in good shape is essential. Heat, humidity, and summer thunderstorms can all affect the integrity of our roofs, but many of us don’t realize the extent of the impact. Summer roof maintenance should be a priority for any home or business owner. When performing roof maintenance, you might need to contact a professional if you notice any problems. It might be time to replace your roof.

Get in touch with EDCA Roofing today to schedule and find out how we can help replace your roof with one that will last for years to come.