Staying on top of your summer roof maintenance routine can help your roof stay in tip-top shape and extend its lifespan.
Summer is in full force, and now that August has arrived, the sun is hotter than ever. With these high temperatures come intense summer storms, which often include strong winds and heavy rainfall. After your foundation, the roof is arguably the most important component of your home, so keeping it in great shape year-round is essential!
It’s no secret that roof repairs and replacements can cost a lot of money. So staying on top of roof maintenance and tackling issues as they arise — addressing little problems before they turn into massive problems — can help you avoid forking out a lot of cash for major repairs in the future. Preventative care and maintenance are a lot more cost-effective than serious repair work!
Curious about how you can care for your roof this summer season? Continue reading below to learn more.
6 Summer Roof Maintenance and Care Tips
Many property owners do not realize how much the summer heat, humidity, and storms can affect the integrity of a roof. It may be summer break, but summer roof maintenance is one thing you should not skip. Here’s what you can do to ensure your roof stays in great shape, even during the intense summer weather:
1. Inspect Your Attic
Not only do outdoor summer temperatures reach astonishing degrees, but your attic can also heat up to nearly 150° Fahrenheit!
Your roof absorbs a lot of the sun’s hot rays throughout the day, and it radiates into your attic air. Poorly ventilated attics that experience regular heat buildup can shorten the lifespan of your roof. This extreme heat can result in your shingles cracking and curling, leading to leaks, and is the reason why attic insulation is essential!
It’s also crucial to look for signs of mold and moisture in your attic during your inspection since they can indicate roof leaks. Here are some common signs of mold and water damage visible from your attic:
- Watermarks on your attic ceiling or walls
- Musty smells
- Wet (or previously wet) insulation
- Discolored or water-stained rafters
- Mildew or mold on attic surfaces
2. Trim Overhanging Tree Limbs
Taking time to trim tree branches whenever necessary is an essential part of being a property owner. Strong winds, heavy rain, and other harsh elements can cause even strong tree branches to break and fall on whatever is below. Even if the limbs don’t break off, overhanging branches can scrape your shingles, stripping away layers of ever-important asphalt. Moreover, the leaves and twigs that do shed can clog your gutters and lead to water damage issues. Ideally, branches should stay between eight and ten feet from your roof.
3. Remove Accumulated Debris
Shedding trees and blustery summer days can result in your roof accumulating a lot of leaves, twigs, and other debris. But a roof covered in the items cannot effectively reflect the sun’s rays and could result in your home overheating.
If you do the job yourself, make sure safety is your number one priority and wear good-gripping shoes. Do not use a power washer since it can cause your shingles to lose their asphalt coating and curl up. Instead, use a broom or leaf blower to clear your roof.
4. Check for Mold, Algae, and Moss
Despite the fact that Utah is a desert, summer storms can bring enough rain and humidity, which can encourage algae, mold, and moss growth.
Over time, these organisms can eat away at your shingles and other roofing materials, like your gutter system, resulting in roof decay. They can also cause your shingles to curl and crack, leaving your roof and attic defenseless.
Mold, algae, and moss damage can happen quickly, so it’s essential to inspect your roof often. If you see mold, algae, or moss on your roof, remove it immediately and have a trusted roofing professional come to assess the situation.
5. Replace Missing Roofing Materials
Addressing missing shingles, flashing, soffit, and flashing boards as soon as there is a problem is crucial to avoid further, more serious issues. Replace these materials the moment something is wrong.
Replacing missing shingles may seem straightforward enough; however, doing this wrong can lead to further issues. So call in a knowledgeable professional to handle both minor and major repairs.
6. Clean Up and Repair Gutters
One of the best things you can do to prevent severe damage to your property is to make sure your gutter system is clear of debris and properly functioning.
Not only do you have to worry about leaves and twigs accumulating in your gutters, but also various types of nests. It’s the perfect place for birds, mice, squirrels, and other critters to make their home.
Thankfully cleaning your gutters shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours. While you’re up there, ensure everything is in good repair. If you prefer to keep your Saturday mornings to yourself, you can call in a pro to get the job a lot more effectively and efficiently.
Need Help With Your Summer Roof Maintenance? We Do Roofing SLC Can Help!
Taking care of your roof is one of the best investments you can make, and checking off your summer roof maintenance list is a great place to start. However, roofs are complex, and spotting and handling issues can be challenging and dangerous for the typical homeowner.
Without proper knowledge and the necessary equipment and materials, you can risk causing further damage to your roof and injuring yourself in the process. If you need help caring for your roof in the Salt Lake City area, contact the roofing pros at We Do Roofing SLC today!
We are licensed and insured and are experts at siding, gutter systems, and all things roofing. With more than two decades of experience in the industry, our skilled team can help you with anything your business or home exteriors require, including simple roof repairs, roof tear-offs, siding replacements or repairs, new gutters, and much more.
We have worked hard for our reputation and are committed to giving our clients quality work and top-notch service. If the roof, siding, or gutters on your home or business need help and you’re in Salt Lake City, Murray, West Jordan, West Valley, or a nearby area along the Wasatch Front, contact We Do Roofing SLC for a quick quote today.
