Your roof is the first line of defense against outside elements. When inclement weather tends to be more common during the summer, a roof can see a fair share of high winds, rain, and hail. It’s why it’s so crucial that you don’t neglect proper roof maintenance during this time of the year. Failure to do so could lead to extensive roof and water damage inside your home. This post details some key ways to maintain your Charlotte, North Carolina, roof this summer. Here’s a look:
Check for Mold Growth, Algae
Summer humidity and rain can encourage mold and algae growth on your roof shingles – especially in areas of your roof that are shaded and cannot dry out as quickly. Staining and streaks on a roof are common signs of this growth. If you notice algae growth, have an inspection right away. Prolonged moisture damage on shingles, evident by algae or mold, can lead to shingle failure and water intrusion into your home. If you are concerned about mold or algae growth on your roof, consider contacting a professional contractor who can perform an inspection.
Check for Loose, Missing Shingles
Summer weather can take its toll on your roof. High winds, heavy rain, or excessive heat can lead to loose, cracked, or missing shingles. This can leave your home susceptible to moisture intrusion and water damage. In the event of shingle damage, it’s not just vital to catch it early but you make the proper repairs.
Trim Back Any Trees
High winds and inclement weather can cause branches to break and fall onto your roof. We suggest you have trees near your roof trimmed back to avoid issues caused by inclement summer weather. It’s best practice to keep any tree limbs at least 8 feet away from your roof.
Have Your Roof Professionally Inspected
It’s not always easy (or safe) for many homeowners to pull a ladder out of the garage or shed and get up on the roof to inspect their roof. As a result, inexperienced homeowners may miss identifying problems that a professional could easily spot. For this reason, it’s never a bad idea to schedule an annual roof inspection with a professional roofing contractor – especially if your roof is aging. A professional will quickly be able to spot problem areas, assess flashing around chimneys and skylights, and make fixes before minor problems turn into big ones.
Check Your Gutters
Leaves, twigs, and other debris tend to fall onto your roof after storms – and when they do, they’ll eventually make their way into your gutter system. It’s always a best practice to remove debris from the surface of your roof, but it’s imperative to check your gutters for this debris. Debris like branches, twigs, pine needles, and leaves can clog your gutter and downspout system. It’s best practice to clean your gutters and downspouts at least twice a year – but this should be done more frequently if you live in dense foliage. Clogged gutters can lead to a variety of problems, including:
- Water overflowing and pooling near your foundation could lead to water intrusion and damage and foundation degradation.
- Water backing up onto your roof could cause water to seep through the roof shingles and lead to mold and decay.
- Gutter damage. When gutters become too heavy, they can pull away from the fascia, leaving a gap between the gutters and the roofline.
- Pest infestations in the gutters.
Bottom line: Clean out your gutters and repair or replace any damaged pieces. It may even be worth inquiring about gutter guards if you tend to see high levels of debris in the summer.
Contact Signature Exteriors Today
For more information on how to properly maintain your roof this summer and to schedule a roof inspection, contact Signature Exteriors today. As experienced experts in roof replacement and repair throughout the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, we specialize in residential and commercial roofing, gutters, and siding. Contact us today for more information.