The roof is one of the most important parts of the home. It defends the rest of the house from destruction, but what protects the roof? Water, sun, wind, and trees can all cause serious harm to your roof. Use these tips to keep your roof safe and damage-free this summer.
Clean the Gutters
Throughout the year, the gutters on your home can become clogged with leaves, sticks, and other debris. This prevents water from running off the roof and draining away from the property. Water will accumulate around your home, eventually causing flooding and water damage to the foundation. Preventing this, however, is easy; clean out the gutters. You can take care of this on your own or hire a professional to do it. No matter who does it, cleaning the gutters is a simple way to prevent damage to your roof this season.
Trim the Greenery
Trees on your property can also cause harm to your roof. Dead, diseased, or overhanging tree branches can become potentially dangerous if they fall. Since storms are more common during the summer, falling branches becomes an even more likely occurrence. Remove any dead or diseased tree branches and trim back ones that hang too close to the home. This will protect your roof against potential harm.
Prepare for Storms
Though you can’t control the weather, you can do everything in your power to protect your roof against the destruction it may bring. Getting your property ready involves cleaning the gutters, trimming trees, and checking for existing cracks and leaks in the roof. If the roof is already damaged, no matter how minorly, a storm can make it worse. Before the stormy season kicks off, inspect the roof and handle any cracks or problem areas.
Avoid Water Damage
Water is one of the biggest hazards to roofing, frequently causing extensive damage and costing thousands for repairs. This is why it is so important to catch any signs of water damage early on so you can avoid expensive repairs. Inspect the roof, paying close attention to missing or broken shingles. In the attic, look for seeping water or signs of water damage. Even one crack in a shingle can cause serious leaks.
Prevent Sun Damage
Roofs will always experience sun damage, there’s no way around it. Luckily, roofing materials are designed to withstand direct sunlight but, over time, they can begin to show signs of sun damage. Watch out for chipped, faded, or warped shingles and other irregularities. Because the signs of sun damage are not always immediately evident, it’s a good idea to hire a professional to inspect your roof at the beginning of the summer. This way, they can assess the roof and fix any areas that need repairs.
Don’t Forget the Skylight
If there is a skylight in your roof, you should also check it out and look for signs of damage. Specifically, look at the seal between the skylight and the roof. Make sure the seal is still functional so there are no leaks during any storms and they the windows will be secure enough to stand up to heavy winds and rain.
