Summertime in the Twin Cities Metro area means that it could be hot, humid, rainy, or all of the above at any given time of day. Did we mention hailstones? And, hail storms, too! That’s a lot for a roof to defend against day in and day out. If your roof is in good shape, your home should be well protected. But, how do you know if your roof is in good shape? What follows are seven hot roofing tips to help make sure your roof is in great shape and doing its job no matter how hot it is outside!
HOT ROOFING TIP #1: CHECK THE ATTIC
The first hot summer roofing tip doesn’t start on your roof. It starts in your attic. As you probably know, your attic can get very hot. In fact, attics can reach up to 150 degrees on a hot summer day. So, it’s better to venture up into the attic earlier in the morning before it heats up.
Your attic can reveal problems with your roof regarding water intrusion. Water leaks leave telltale signs by way of water stains and mold growth. Check the decking and rafters in the attic for stains and mold. Attic insulation is another place to look for water stains, mold, and wet spots. If you find any water stains or mold, call your roofing contractor for a roof inspection. You may very well have a roof leak on your hands.
HOT ROOFING TIP #2: CHECK THE SHINGLES
Roofing shingles are your roof’s first line of defense against the elements. If shingles are damaged or missing, roofing problems and leaks are soon to follow. From the ground, walk around your home to see if you spot any damaged shingles. Damage could come in the form of uplifted shingles, torn shingles, rippled shingles, and shingles that are completely missing. Damaged and missing shingles should be replaced right away.
HOT ROOFING TIP #3: TRIM TREE LIMBS
Trees make your property more beautiful, and they provide shade for better comfort and helping to keep your home cooler. However, tree limbs that overhang your roof pose a threat to roof damage if they were to fall. Further, tree limbs that are too close to the roof can scrape shingles and damage them. Fallen leaves from overhanging tree limbs don’t do your gutters any favors either. Make sure tree limbs are cut back so that they don’t do more harm than good for your home and property.
HOT ROOFING TIP #4: REMOVE DEBRIS
Your roof should be kept clean of leaves, twigs, and any other debris that falls on it. Keeping your roof clear of debris also allows it to reflect the sun’s UV rays better and keep your attic and home cooler. For your own safety, it’s better to hire a company to clean your roof of debris. However, power washing is never advised for your roof, and don’t let any company tell you that it is. Power washing can uplift shingles and remove the protective granules from shingles. This will only cause more substantial roofing problems down the road.
HOT ROOFING TIP #5: MOSS AND ALGAE
Large trees can provide nice shade for your roof and home. However, during the hot, wet, and humid summer months, shade also invites moss and algae growth. Moss growth can cause shingles to curl and crack. Moss can also trap water. This trapped water can seep under shingles and damage the layers beneath. Algae is another common problem on roofs. Algae can lead to roof decay and rot by eating away at the shingles. Algae can also be found in the gutters. Contact your roofing contractor to deal with moss and algae problems for you.
HOT ROOFING TIP #6: GUTTER CARE
Your gutters are an important part of your home’s roofing system and your home’s foundation. It’s the gutters that carry away thousands of gallons of water each year that could otherwise wick along the eaves and soak into the ground around your home all the way to the foundation.
Gutters should be cleaned of debris at least once a year. If your home is surrounded by trees, you may need to clean your gutters twice a year. Clogged gutters allow water to pool and may then penetrate the roof, eaves, and walls of your home. During the next rain spell, check all of the downspouts to make sure water is flowing freely and draining from the gutters. Look for water spilling over the sides of gutters, too.
Take a look at all the gutters around your home. Are there any sagging places, disconnected seams, rust, or sections that are pulling away from the fascia? It’s important to keep your gutters in good working order to help your roof do its job and to protect your home’s foundation from too much water.
HOT ROOFING TIP #7: GET A ROOF INSPECTION
The last hot summer roofing tip is to contact Younger Exteriors for a FREE ROOF INSPECTION! That’s right! Your roof should be inspected every year and each time following hail storms and wind-driven storms in excess of 40 MPH. The purpose of a roof inspection is to give you an estimate of how long your roof should last and to point out any repairs that are needed. If timely repairs aren’t made, roofing problems will only get worse and often cause additional problems to other parts of your home.
If you have any questions about these hot summer roofing tips, or if you would like to schedule a FREE ROOF INSPECTION, contact Younger Exteriors today at (612) 360-0320. We are here to help with all of your roofing and home exterior needs!
