Summer can be tough on your roof. Between scorching heat, UV rays, and thunderstorms, a lot can go wrong if you’re not prepared. Thankfully, a little maintenance before the season hits can go a long way toward protecting your home and avoiding expensive roof repairs.
Start With a Thorough Inspection
From the ground level, use binoculars to scan your roof for missing or curling shingles and any spots that look warped or discolored. If you’re comfortable, taking a closer look on a ladder can reveal lifted nail heads, soft spots, and even granule loss on asphalt shingles. Granules protect against UV damage, so if your gutters are full of gritty debris, that’s a red flag worth addressing now with a roofing professional.
Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters can cause problems long before you even know about them. When summer storms roll in, backed-up water can push under shingles and cause rot, mold, and leaks inside pf your home. Clear out any debris, and make sure downspouts are directing water at least 6 feet away from your foundation.
Check Your Attic Ventilation
Attic temps can soar past 150 degrees Fahrenheit on the hottest summer day. These high temperatures can shorten the lifespan of your shingles from the inside out and drive up your cooling bills. Check that your soffit vents and ridge vents are clear and unobstructed so that air can flow freely all summer.
Repair Your Flashing
Flashing is the metal strip that seals joints around chimneys and vents. It’s also one of the most common sources of leaks. Look for lifting edges, rust, and dried-out caulking. Resealing any gaps you find is an inexpensive fix that can prevent water damage down the road.
Think About a Reflective Coating
If you live somewhere known for hot summers, a reflective roof coating is worth considering. These coatings reflect sunlight away instead of absorbing it and can lower surface temperatures by as much as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. That means less heat gets transferred into your home and less strain is put on your air conditioner.
Don’t Forget Your Trees
Overhanging branches are a bigger threat to your roof than you might realize. During summer thunderstorms, high winds can snap limbs and send them crashing down onto your roof. Even without a storm, branches that scrape against your roof can wear down the surface over time. Take note of any trees that hang close to the roofline. Trimming them back before summer arrives is an easy way to reduce the risk of damage.
Taking a few hours to inspect, clean, ventilate, and repair your roof before summer arrives is one of the smartest things you can do. A well-maintained roof keeps your home cooler, prevents leaks, and gives you peace of mind when the mercury climbs. If you live in Las Vegas, NV or a surrounding area and need roof repair services, make your first call to Nevada Exteriors.