During the winter months, the roof takes a real beating. Ice, snow, wind, and frigid temperatures can cause a lot of damage. Broken or missing shingles and impaired gutters can bring about other significant complications like pest infestations and leaks. The following tips will help you make sure your roof is ready to handle summer showers.
How Do You Know if Your Roof is Ready for Summer Showers?
The first and most important thing you need to do to prepare your roof for summer showers is to look for signs of damage, including the following.
Loose or Missing Shingles.
It’s important to inspect the roof for loose or missing shingles. During the inspection, check the gutters and downspouts for granules from the shingles. Finding an excessive amount of shingle granules can be a sign of problems. When asphalt dries out, granules are loosened and washed away by rain.
Excessive Debris
Check for debris behind dormers, chimneys, and other areas of the roof. Leaves, branches and other debris left behind from the fall that hasn’t been washed away by rain can cause significant damage, including damming issues on the roof.
Inspect the Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause a lot of problems when the first rainfall of summer hits. When gutters are packed with debris and leaves, rainwater can’t flow freely through them and away from the home. This can cause leaking and flooding problems in the basement. Summer season is the perfect time to clean the gutters and drain spouts.
Look for Overhanging Tree Branches
Tree branches that are hanging over the roof can cause a lot of damage. By trimming back and removing branches, you can help prevent clogged gutters and the damage that can be caused by falling tree branches. You’ll also want to have the roof cleared of any branches and debris that have already fallen on the roof.
Inspect the Attic for Rodents
Rodents and other pests are very destructive creatures. If you think you may have these pests in your attic, have it inspected and be sure to check out the insulation. Rodents burrow into attic spaces where they stay warm during the winter months. During cold weather, these pests look for a warm location to hibernate, like the weak spots in the roof. When the seasons change and warm-up, their population grows, causing even more damage to the roof. When the problem goes unnoticed, the damage spreads into other areas of the home.
If you don’t feel comfortable or have the experience necessary to inspect the roof yourself, hire a professional to do it for you. By hiring an experienced roofer, you can rest assured that any potential problems are discovered, which will help keep your roof in tip-top shape.
