As summer approaches, it is time to consider whether your roof is ready for the warm weather ahead. Over the winter, snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can lead to considerable damage to roofing components. In order to ensure pests and the hot air keep out over the summer months, it is important to take a few steps to make sure your home is ready for the weather ahead.
Inspect the Roof
The very first step is to inspect the roof for any signs of damage. This includes missing or curled shingles, algae or debris buildup, bent flashing, detached gutters, and any other signs of wear and tear. If you do not have extensive experience with roof repair, the best way to ensure you catch any issues early is to hire a professional roofer to inspect the roof for any signs of damage.
Clean Out Gutters
Gutters can easily become choked with leaves and debris over the colder months, and it is important to ensure that they are clear in order to channel water away from your home. Summer is a good time to clean out gutters and drains. You may also wish to remove any debris from the roof as well to ensure that they do not end up clogging up quickly again. While you’re giving your gutters a good clean-out, pay particular attention to small granules which could have come from your shingles. If you find a large number of them, this is a sure sign that you will need to replace your shingles soon.
Change HVAC Filters
Your HVAC system can play a crucial role in preventing humidity buildup in your home. It is important to ensure that your HVAC filters are changed regularly to help prevent condensation from entering. This will help reduce humidity and raise the air quality in your home. Lower humidity will also help to prevent moisture buildup, which can cause damage to your roof.
Trim Nearby Tree Limbs
It is important to trim any overhanging tree branches that could scrape against your roof or break and cause damage to your home. There are a number of benefits to doing this. For one, you are removing a major source of debris that can collect in your gutters and clog them. Also, tree branches can break off during storms and potentially fall right through your roof. This is not only costly to repair but clearly dangerous. It is important to trim any tree branches that could pose a danger of affecting your roof, particularly in hurricane-prone areas. Look for any low-hanging branches near your roof as well as any that appear diseased or already dead.
Look Under the Roof
It is important to consider the underside of your roof as well, which means looking into your attic. During the summer, your attic can reach temperatures as high as 150 degrees, and it is crucial that your roof ventilation is functioning properly and capable of handling these temperatures. It is also important to look for any signs of moisture or mold which could indicate a leak.
Final Thoughts
Once you are finished inspecting and preparing your roof for summer, make sure to take note of any concerns you may have. Remember that it is always cheaper to take care of any issues as soon as they are discovered to prevent them from potentially growing and becoming worse.
Contact Us
If you need help preparing your home for summer, contact North Shore Roofing, Our experienced team has more than 30 years of experience helping homeowners with all of their roofing needs. Call us at (978) 977-3816 and connect with us on Facebook.
