As the summer months approach, weather patterns can sometimes be unpredictable. However, while the forecast may change daily, history reveals a few potential hazards for which every homeowner must be prepared. Your roof serves as a protective barrier between the elements of Mother Nature and your family plus belongings. In order to ensure that you remain protected during these ever changing weather events, consider an inspection now in order to address any potential issues before it’s too late.
Having a roof inspection conducted allows you to rest at ease knowing your home is ready for whatever the weather has in store. While many homeowners can obviously detect major issues, such as shingles missing or holes in the roof, professionals can pinpoint potential hazards in addition to judging the wear and tear being placed on your roof annually. By having any issues corrected prior to the weather amplifying a problem, future costs and excessive damages may be avoided.
Depending on the immediate surroundings of your property, a roofs typical wear and tear may vary. For this reason, every home inspection is different and although a roof will typically last anywhere from 20-30 years, the exposure and weather to which it is subjected can greatly impact these guidelines. Consider each of the following summertime weather elements which can increase wear on your propertys structure.
Rain
Seasonal rain rarely causes any type of issues other than normal wear and tear but downpours associated with thunderstorms and certain weather cells can create problems. Not only will heavy amounts of rain over a short period of time subject the shingles or other roofing material to potential damage but anywhere there have been punctures are also subject to leakage. For this reason, regular inspections of both the interior, attic, or upper floor of a home is important following a significant storm.
In addition to the potential for heavy rains to cause damage on the roof, clogged gutters may also create an issue. If water cannot freely flow from the roof surface, into the gutter, and then through downspouts and out away from the foundation, other issues could arise. A clogged path could potentially lead to flooding within the home, so ensure the roof is clear of blockages along with the gutter system.
Hail
Identifying hail damage to your roof may require inspection from atop the roof itself. While missing shingles and other types of damages would be visible from the ground level – hail damage may not be noticed unless seen from the roofline. Not only can this hail cause shingles to become chipped, loosened, or broken off completely, but it may dent flashing or weaken any closings, depending on the size.
In the event your home has been exposed to hail damage, a safety inspection is probably necessary. For both peace of mind and insurance purposes, having a professionally licensed individual complete a review of the integrity for your roof will aid in evaluating any potential repairs or collections from the insurance company. While not all hail stones are capable of causing damage, anything sizable should be respected once the storm passes and a safe evaluation can be completed.
Wind
High winds are also especially capable of causing significant roof damage. Even without potentially causing other objects to come into contact with the surface – trees, limbs, brush, etc. the wind itself could cause an issue. Often the combination of high winds and rain work together in dismantling shingles while potentially also causing water damage. In the event that your roof is impacted by high winds, even for a short period of time, a quick overview should display whether any shingles have been significantly impacted.
Moss/Mildew
Depending on the exact location and surroundings of your roof, some areas could be prone to developing moss or mildew either on top or underneath the shingle surface. Damp environments, especially in those areas of less sunlight, can harbor the perfect ingredients for mildew and moss to begin growing. If this is the case, then getting a proper inspection and potentially addressing either ventilation or putting in measures to help eliminate the mildew causing elements may be warranted. While these organisms may not initially cause any structural damage, their existence is extremely unsightly and may cause a blockage in the water flow of rain runoff – which can cause major problems.
Sun
Unfortunately, even when the weather is clear the potential for damage still exists. Prolonged exposure to sunlight and especially high temperatures can cause shingles to crack or become warped. Typically associated with regular wear, the weather patterns are capable of speeding up the deterioration process and may require attention if the situation were to worsen.
Objects
Severe weather can also cause damage to surrounding trees which may also put your home and roof at risk. If there are sizable trees located within striking distance of your home then measures should be taken in order to prepare in the event they were to topple during a storm. In addition, overhanging branches can cause damage from the friction associated with wind and rubbing the same areas of a roof over and over. A roof clear and free of any obstruction is best suited for providing a quality outer layer for your homes protection.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, quality service has been our priority in Denver and the surrounding area for years as we can handle any and all gutter, roofing, or siding needs for your home. Arvada Roofing and Construction has been completing roof and gutter installations, evaluations, and multiple other exterior household projects or associated services for nearly two decades. Their highly trained experts can provide an estimate on any repair, remodel, or now construction project, if needed, as well as any inspection you wish to have completed. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are concerned about the effectiveness of your gutters, roof, or already have an issue, we are here to help. Our certified and extremely knowledgeable staff is available to handle any construction or roofing job and provide a variety of other services such as seamless guttering systems, or any potential damage analysis thought to be caused by severe weather for the purposes of insurance reporting. Contact us today online or call 303-432-2753 for your free estimate on any of the above mentioned projects!