As a homeowner, it can be quite easy to take the overall health of your roof for granted. After all, when your home’s roof has no problems, you don’t typically have much reason to think or worry about it.
However, to keep your household as comfortable and safe as possible in the long run, you need to be proactive to storm-proof your roof. Doing so is especially important during the Massachusetts summer when the heat waves can be harsh and sustained.
Ideally, you should take some time early in the summer to storm-proof your home’s roof and ensure it’s fully protected from the elements of the season. This can help you avoid costly residential roofing services later in the year. Here, we’ll take a closer look at how you can accomplish proper storm-proofing.
What We’ll Cover:
- Intense heat
- UV rays
- Thunderstorms
- Scheduling a roofing inspection
- Cleaning your gutters
- Applying roof coating
- Trimming trees
- Roof ventilation
- Key takeaways
Top 3 Sources of Roof Repair Damage
During the summer months, there are several sources of possible roof damage that you should expect. We recommend checking your roofing warranty to see if it includes protection from these factors.
The following elements can pose a threat to the integrity and functionality of your home’s roofing:
1) Intense Heat
The temperature tends to shoot up quite a bit during the Massachusetts summer, which can be problematic for your roof. Because your roof is located at the top of your home, it constantly experiences exposure to the summer heat. This can gradually wear down the roofing materials and make the roof susceptible to other elements.
If your attic isn’t properly ventilated, this frequent heat can also create condensation problems in the upper area of your living space.
2) UV Rays
Although your roof is always exposed to UV rays, they are significantly harsher during the summer. This is primarily because the days are much longer, and the rays are much more intense than in other seasons. If your roof is made of asphalt shingles, constant exposure to intense UV rays can gradually dry them out, making the more brittle and prone to damage.
Powerful UV rays can also crack, bleach, and weaken the wood of your roof. If you don’t take the time to protect your roofing from UV rays during the summer, it can lead to expensive roof repairs down the road.
3) Thunderstorms
Although the summer months are mostly known for their heat, protecting your household roof from summer rainstorms is also important. If your roof isn’t equipped to handle the occasional heavy rainfall, it can lead to significant problems.
For example, the shingles could become damaged, the gutters could get clogged, and you could end up with mold growth and water damage in your attic. To ensure that your home’s roof remains healthy and in great condition throughout the summer, you must prepare for all the elements that could cause problems.
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5 Easy Steps to Start Storm-Proofing Your Roof
Although it may be intimidating to consider the potential issues that your roof could experience during the summer, there’s no need to panic. If you’re wise and proactive, you can take several steps to protect your roof completely.
1) Schedule a Roofing Inspection
Having your roof periodically inspected by roofing professionals is imperative to avoid major problems and expensive roof repairs. When you contact local roofing companies, they typically offer comprehensive inspections as part of their residential roofing services.
During an inspection, one or more experienced roofing professionals will closely examine the condition of your roof. They’ll identify anything that needs fixing and advise you on areas where your roof may be vulnerable to the elements.
2) Clean Your Gutters
During the winter and spring, it’s likely that lots of leaves, dirt, and random debris accumulate in your gutters. So, if a summer storm comes through your area, your gutters may be too clogged to function properly, leading to water accumulating on your roof or the gutters collapsing.
For these reasons, the beginning of the summer is usually an excellent time to clean your gutters.
3) Apply Roof Coating
Applying a quality roof coating is the simplest way to protect your roof from the summer heat and UV rays. You can either do this yourself or with the help of residential roofing contractors, and most coatings will usually last for around a decade before they need to be replaced.
In addition to protecting from heat and UV rays, a good roof coating can make your roofing more water-resistant.
4) Trim Nearby Trees
Some homeowners keep the tall trees around their property because they can help shade the roof from the summer heat. However, this benefit typically isn’t worth the risk.
If a summer storm hits your area, it can end up knocking branches onto your roof, potentially damaging the shingles, and even creating a safety hazard for your family. Trimming any large trees around your property early in the summer would be wise to be safe.
5) Ventilate Your Roof
Keeping your home’s roof properly ventilated is very important for the health of your household during the summer. Without effective ventilation, heat and moisture won’t be able to escape the top of your household, which can lead to condensation and mold growth, potentially damaging the structure of your roof.
If your roof needs to be ventilated, you should contact local roofing companies for free roofing estimates.
Key Takeaways
Although preparing your roof for the summer is very important, it doesn’t necessarily need to be stressful or overwhelming. With the help of trusted local roofing professionals, you can take several simple measures to ensure your roof is fully equipped to withstand the elements of the season.
If you’re ready to schedule a roofing inspection or need help getting your home’s roof ready for the summer, don’t hesitate to call your local roofing contractors to schedule an appointment.
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The #1 Residential Roofing Repair in Central MA
Altitude Roofing is family-owned and operated, with decades of experience and a passion for delivering honest residential roofing services. That’s how we became one of Massachusetts’s most trusted residential roofing companies, a Google Verified Business with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
We offer a 15-year limited roofing warranty (half the lifespan of a new roof) on all our jobs. Our workmanship warranty is twice as long as other major roofing companies in Worcester, MA. We proudly stand by our residential roofing work for a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
As part of this commitment, we have achieved certifications from some of the industry’s most well-known manufacturers: Carlisle, Atlas, CertaTeed, GAF, Firestone, and Genflex. You can count on our team of skilled professionals for exceptional service and quality craftsmanship. Contact us today for free roofing estimates!
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