1. Inspect Shingles and Repair Flashing
During the summer, your roofing materials will expand and contract with different temperatures and weather conditions. This can cause shingle displacement and brittleness, especially in roofs over 15 years old. Look for broken shingles or any spacing between shingles. Also, take a look at the flashing around your chimney or vents. Caulk around these areas usually fails before your shingles do. Additionally, mold and mildew thrive in the warm and damp summer conditions. If you see dark patches on your roof, have a professional roofer inspect them more closely.
2. Inspect and Clean Gutters
Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris. In the spring, seeds can settle in clogged gutters and take root, growing throughout the summer. This can create a huge headache, making gutters even harder to clear out. Clean gutters are especially important in summer as thunderstorms will bring huge amounts of water. So, your gutters need to be working at top capacity to direct that water away from your home. You can clean your gutters yourself, but if you are unable to get on a ladder or find more significant damage, call a gutter repair specialist.
3. Check the Eaves
Look at the underside of your eaves – the part of the roof that hangs over the rest of your home. This overhang is a common spot for bugs to build their nests or hives. Sometimes nests are harmless, but you will definitely want to remove hives. Stinging insects tend to build on the underside of eaves, so be cautious and call an exterminator if you see signs of dangerous insects. You may also see insect damage in your siding, which should be repaired as soon as possible to avoid moisture getting into your home.
4. Trim Nearby Trees
Most homeowners know that intense summer storms can quickly bring down branches onto the roof. So, it’s a good idea to clear them before thunderstorms roll in. But smaller twig and leaf build-up can also become a major issue. This debris runs into gutters and clogs them up quickly. Even if there aren’t big branches, make sure to trim nearby tree growth around your roof each summer.
5. Analyze Roof Insulation and Attic Ventilation
Homeowners usually associate insulation with staying warm in the winter. But insulation is just as integral to keeping your home cool during the summer. Check local regulations to ensure your home has the right amount of insulation and make sure your insulation hasn’t gotten damp from humidity or leaks. Additionally, proper attic ventilation will regulate temperature and avoid humidity, which leads to mold and mildew. A professional roofer can take measurements and calculate the right ventilation for your home.
Every passing summer increases the likelihood of damage to your roof. Conducting a summer inspection can prevent the need for more expensive repairs, or even a replacement, in the future.
It can be frustrating to deal with roofing companies and quotes when all you need are a few repairs. Especially considering that many roofing companies won’t even offer repair as a solution, because they only have the crews and equipment for a full roof replacement. That’s why Brothers created our Roof Tune-Up Package. With this service, you can get a full report on the health of your roof this summer, our professionals will perform common maintenance, and you won’t have to deal with a pushy salesperson. If it’s time for maintenance on your roof, contact the roofing specialists at Brothers today!
