Summer: it’s full of sunshine and warmth, but even in the summer months, your roof is susceptible to problems. Here’s how to prevent the four most common summer roof damages.
When you think of the damage that’s done to a roof, you often think of what’s happened to it in the winter. There’s so much that can cause it to break and even need replacement, such as snow, ice, rain, and more. What you may not know is that the summer is equally full of dangers for your roofing.
Here are some of the most common issues that can happen to your roof over the summer, and how you can prevent them from happening.
1. Moss Growth
You’ll see that most roofs have some kind of moss on them, and that’s to be expected. It’ll often grow on outdoor areas, including your roof. The problem is that it can really proliferate during the summer, and that’s where it starts causing damage to your roof.
If there’s a lot of moss and growth on your roof, you’ll see that it’s trapping moisture under it. This will firstly damage your shingles, leading you to need to replace them. If you don’t see that damage though, it’ll get under the shingles and start causing damage to the wooden structure beneath it. If this is left long enough, it’ll cause serious damage and maybe even lead to you needing to replace the roof.
Removing Moss
You can remove that moss before it creates incredibly serious home and roof damages. They key is to use the right safety equipment. You’ll need anti slip shoes, as well as a sturdy ladder and possibly even a safety rope. Get up on the ladder with a hose, and hose off small sections of the roof at a time, ensuring you’re holding the hose pointed down.
If that isn’t enough to get the moss off, you can get it off with a long handled scrub brush. When you use this, be sure you’re not scrubbing too hard or pounding on the roof, as you don’t want to damage the shingles. You can then apply a cleaner specially designed for the job, that will help you get the moss off.
Once you’ve done that, you can stop the moss coming back with zinc or copper. These are both toxic to moss, and so it’ll avoid you having to clean the roof again. Install strips of the metal along the roof, and you’ll see the curb the growth without you having to get back up there.
2. Cracked Shingles
You don’t think of the sun causing damage to your shingles, but over time it can hurt them. During the summer, the sun is beating down on your roof, day after day. Over time, the shingles will dry out and you’ll see them start to buckle, crack or even peel away; causing dangerous roof damages.
If they’re damaged, they’re not protecting it against the elements. You’ll need the shingles to be in top condition in order to keep water out and avoid damage to the roof over time.
If you see any shingles that are coming away, or are broken, you’ll need to replace them as soon as possible. Many home owners choose to buy an extra box of shingles when they replace their roof for this reason. If they need to replace a singular shingle, then all they have to do is take another one out of the box and replace it. Plus, that shingle will be the same color as the rest of your roof.
3. Moisture Build Up
This is something you wouldn’t think about worrying about in the summer, but it’s a real issue that you need to address. The weather in summer gets hot and humid, and the air in your home gets humid too. Hot air rises, so it’s going to end up in your attic. If you don’t have any ventilation in the attic, then you’re going to see that the hot humid air just gets trapped in there.
It causes serious dangerous damages as long as its there, as the moisture is the enemy of your roof. This leads to many roof damages, such as the wooden structure becoming weak and damaged. Dry rot and mold set in too, causing more problems. Again, if this isn’t addressed in time, you’re going to be looking at getting a new roof.
This is a problem that’s easily avoided by ensuring you have enough ventilation in your roof. Ask a roofing expert to come and take a look at the roof for you. Can they see where ventilation can be put in for you? There are lots of different options, so pick one that works best for your home and the climate you live in.
4. Summer Storms
You don’t associate summer with storms, but they happen. If you’re not prepared, they can cause all kinds of roof damages. Shingles can be ripped off, flashing pulled away, and even holes punched in thanks to falling branches. Plus, leaves whipped around by the wind get caught in gutters, causing blockages.
You can stop all this damage happening by being prepared. Firstly, cut away any overhanging branches. If they’re not hanging over your roof, it’s less likely that they’ll fall onto the roof itself. Check your guttering regularly, and install gutter guards to stop them getting clogged up.
Finally, do regular inspections. It’s vital you do this all year round, to ensure that the roof is in good condition. If you see anything that looks loose or damaged, repair it right away. That way, you won’t see water come in during a storm and damage your roof. If you’re not sure how to do any of these things, then you’ll need to call a roofing expert to come and help you out.
Final Thought
All of these summer roof damages can be easily avoided with a little work and preparation. It’s amazing how much the summer weather can damage your roof, but you don’t have to let it happen. Now you know what to look out for, so you can stop it happening to you.
