Summer may be the season of family vacations, but the fair weather doesn’t mean your roof is in the clear. After all, summer storms can spring up out of nowhere and leave you worrying about leaks and damage. Preventative maintenance is key in keeping your home safe year-round and summer is the perfect time to examine your home’s exterior and make preparations for everything the volatile Front Range weather can throw your way. Rather than waiting until your roof is damaged, get a jumpstart on maintenance with this helpful checklist from your trusted Arvada roofing company.
Clean the Gutters
Gutter cleaning is one task that many homeowners simply overlook. While it may not seem like a priority until autumn when the leaves start to fall, it’s a good idea to at least inspect them once each season. Even if leaves and debris are not actively collecting in the gutter system, pests still find it an ideal home. You may end up finding bird nests, squirrel nests, and even insects all using the system to protect themselves from the elements. If you’re comfortable climbing a ladder, you can clean the gutters out yourself. However, hiring an experienced roofing contractor will help ensure that any existing damage to the system is repaired while also reducing your risk of injury.
Trim Low-Hanging Branches
Pruning your trees is the perfect way to encourage vibrant growth and keep your home’s landscaping looking great, but it’s also a vital part of your summer roof maintenance routine. Low-hanging limbs and branches close to the house can fall on the roof during storms or break under the strain of heavy snowfall. Towards the end of the summer as the growing season is starting to end, schedule a tree trimming appointment with your local arborist. They’ll be able to assess which limbs pose a threat to your home and properly trim them back without harming the tree. Though the tree may look bare after trimming, new growth in the spring will help fill out the branches without threatening your home or your roof.
Inspect the Foundation
Your gutters are designed to send water and runoff from your roof to a designated drainage area. When they’re damaged or clogged, that water has no choice but to seep out over the edge of the system and run directly down your siding to the foundation. While small drainage issues may not damage your foundation, consistent exposure to excessive moisture can cause the dirt to shift and the cement to crack. The sooner the damage is caught, the better. Before summer ends, take a look around your home’s exterior and look for signs of poor drainage, especially after a late afternoon storm. You’ll likely see peeling or bubbling paint on your siding, water-logged dirt and plants, and even fractures in the outermost layer of cement along the ground. If you see any signs of damage, schedule a roof repair appointment immediately.
Check the Attic
Before you start inspecting the ceiling for signs of water damage, first inspect your attic. As the roofing materials degrade, many early signs of damage can be seen inside the crawlspace. Look for any pinpricks of daylight seeping through the shingles as this could indicate a problem with the sub-roofing and roof underlayment. Inspect the rafters and support beams for signs of moisture and mold growth and make sure the insulation is still in good condition. Often rodents can access your attic through damaged areas around your gutters and roofline. If they make their home in the insulation, they can do further damage to the roof as well as your house, threatening the electrical system, insulation, and overall health and wellbeing of your family. If you see torn up bits of insulation or notice rodent droppings, call an exterminator immediately. The sooner the pests are removed, the better off your home and your roof will be.
Check the Vent Fans
Proper ventilation is vital to keeping your roof in good condition. That’s why most homes have ventilation fans and systems in place to keep the attic and roofline from overheating. Take the time to thoroughly inspect your roof fans and make sure they’re working properly. If you hear strange noises or notice that the fans are not turning at the right speed, schedule a repair appointment. This way, you’ll be able to prevent warping and damage to the roof and keep your home protected even when the temperatures rise.
Look For Obvious Signs of Damage
When the weather is bad, getting outside to inspect your roof can be a challenge. Not only does snow tend to hide damage, but unexpected spring storms and wind gusts can quickly take an intact roof and leave it vulnerable to the elements. With the pleasant summer weather in Colorado, spending a few minutes each month to inspect your roof for signs of wear and tear is easy. Look for missing shingles, loose roof nails in the yard around your house, and keep an eye on the flashing around your chimney, skylights, and vents. If anything looks out of place, schedule an inspection with a roofing contractor and get an estimate on all necessary repairs.
Take Care of Repairs Now
There’s no denying that summertime is relatively dry in the greater Denver area, making it the perfect time to schedule repairs before the weather changes. After scheduling an inspection, consider having the repairs made before autumn. This way, your roof will be ready for heavy snowfall, late-season rain, and the occasional hailstorm. Remember, leaving minor repairs unaddressed is the easiest way to increase the risk of water leaks and damage to your home. Since the summer weather is more pleasant and storms are more infrequent, your roofing team will be able to make the repairs more quickly without worrying about unexpected weather delays.
Whether you’ve noticed a few missing shingles or are worried about a strange stain on your ceiling, our friendly roofers are ready to help. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and make sure your home stays safe from water damage no matter what the weather is like.