During the height of the summer, your roof is baking in temperatures that can reach well over 150 degrees. The extreme heat causes the materials to expand and contract. Eventually, this leads to cracks and leaks. Most people don’t think about their roof until a puddle appears on the living room floor. However, some care during the hot months can add years to its life.
Cleaning the Gutters for Summer Storms
You might think that gutter cleaning is only for the fall when the leaves drop. However, summer storms bring their own kind of mess. Heavy winds rip small twigs and push seeds from the trees. These items quickly clog up your downspouts. When a summer downpour hits, that water has nowhere to go. So, it backs up under the edges of your shingles and rots the wood underneath. If you see a small plant starting to grow in your gutter, that is a sure sign that dirt and moisture are trapped and causing trouble. By clearing these paths, you ensure that the water flows safely away from your house rather than sitting on your roof.
The Invisible Threat of Attic Heat
Excess heat in your attic can lead to a premature roof failure. If your attic vents are blocked by bird nests or old insulation, the heat gets trapped against the bottom of the roof deck and “cooks” the shingles from the inside out. This causes the protective granules on your shingles to fall off. At this point, the asphalt underneath is exposed to the sun’s damaging rays. Check your soffit vents and ridge vents to make sure air is moving freely through the space.
Inspecting for Sun-Damaged Shingles
Take a pair of binoculars and look at your roof from the safety of the ground to check for shingles that are curling or balding. If you see dark spots where the colorful gravel has washed away, those areas are no longer protected from the heat and will likely leak during the next heavy rain. If you find a handful of these granules in the grass near your downspouts, it means your roof is shedding its armor. Catching these small problems early allows you to replace a few shingles for a small price.
Managing Tree Branches and Overgrowth
Trees are great for shade. However, branches that touch your roof can behave like giant pieces of sandpaper when the wind blows. As the wind kicks up during a summer breeze, those limbs scrape across the surface and tear away the protective layers of your shingles. Trim any branches so they are at least six to 10 feet away from your roofline to prevent this constant rubbing.
Additionally, branches that hang over the house provide a pathway for squirrels and raccoons to get onto your roof and start chewing on the plastic vent covers. Keep a clear gap between your trees and your shingles protects the physical surface and keeps the local wildlife from turning your attic into their new summer home.
When you take the time to keep your gutters clear, make sure your attic can breathe, and trim back those wandering tree branches, you stop expensive disasters from encroaching on your summer vacation plans. “These steps help protect your home.
Get expert help with roof replacements in Danvers, MA, call JP Carroll now.
