Get Your Roof Ready for Summer: Top 7 Summer Roof Maintenance Tips

Summertime is here, and with summer comes heavy rains, scorching sun, and summer storms with high winds and hail that can potentially damage your roof. As the heat rises, there are some things you can do to prepare your roof. 

Below, we’ll look at the top 7 summer roof maintenance tips. 

Tips for Summer Roof Maintenance

You can do several things to ensure that your roof is ready for the summer heat and everything that goes with it. 

Call in the Professionals

The very first summer roof maintenance tip is to call in a roofing contractor to do roof inspection. This will show you if any problems need to be addressed immediately or in the near future. You should never do this yourself because it is dangerous and complicated. If you don’t have the proper knowledge, materials, or equipment, you can cause more damage to your roof or worse; you could end up injured. 

A professional roof inspection will reveal issues that may have been hidden. You should be getting a roof inspection at least annually, and it’s even better if you have one at the change of every season. This is a critical piece of general roof maintenance, don’t neglect it. 

Have Missing Shingles Replaced

Another summer roof maintenance tip is to have missing or damaged shingles replaced by a professional. Your roof inspection will reveal any damaged or missing shingles, and while it may seem like a simple job, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. If you put a new shingle over an old one or use the wrong nails, it can cause significant damage. 

The wrong shingle could fade, crack, or even harbor algae. Even walking on damaged shingles could cause more damage. This is why all roofing maintenance should be left to a professional roofing contractor.  

Check for Mold/Moss/Algae

Summer brings rain and humidity, which is the perfect combination for algae to grow. If you have algae growing on your roof, it can eat away the shingles, causing your roof to decay. Algae likes to grow on roofs, but it can also grow in the gutters when there is water build-up. Algae is especially prevalent during the summer and can cause significant damage if not addressed properly. 

If you have moss growing on your roof, it can cause shingles to crack and curl, and if it’s heavy, it can block water, which creates build-up under the shingles, eventually damaging the decking. If you notice algae or moss on your roof, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Also, it’s important to note that mold grows fast and can damage your roof, so it needs to be checked often. 

Check Your Attic 

The fourth summer roof maintenance tip is to check your attic. You may not realize it, but your attic can get up to 150° during the summer. After all, your roof absorbs the heat from the sun and transfers it into your attic. If your attic is not properly insulated and ventilated, it can significantly shorten the lifespan of your roof. The heat causes shingles to curl and crack, leading to leaks. This is why it’s important to ensure proper insulation and ventilation. 

You should also check for moisture and mold in your rafters and attic since that indicates water leaks in your roof. Here are the signs of mold damage that can be seen from inside your attic: 

  1. Watermarks along with ceiling or walls 
  2. Musty smell in the attic and visible mildew across the ceiling 
  3. Discolored rafters 

Tree Limbs 

The fifth summer roof maintenance tip is to make sure that any trees close enough to damage your roof are trimmed. Even if a tree is strong and healthy, summer storms can cause a branch to break off and fall on your roof. Low-hanging branches scrape asphalt shingles, weakening them. Fallen leaves/twigs from the trees can clog gutters. Ideally, tree branches need to be 8 to 10 feet from your roof to keep it protected. 

Remove Debris

The sixth summer roof maintenance tip is to hire a professional to clean off any debris that has been collected on your roof during the summer, including twigs and branches. A debris-free roof effectively reflects the sun and keeps your home cool during the hot summer months. 

Clean-Up & Replace Loose Gutters

The final summer roof maintenance tip is cleaning up and replacing loose gutters. While this probably is not the most exciting chore for a homeowner, it’s critical to avoid severe damage to your roof. There are so many things that can clog your gutters in summer, including dirt, leaves, bird nests, etc. If you notice bugs crawling around in the gutters, they may be clogged. If this is the case, water will accumulate on the roof and seep under the shingles. Check your gutters after severe storms since debris may have gotten into them. If you notice that your gutters are sagging, replace them with new ones. 

Summer Roof Maintenance is Important

As a homeowner, you should know that summer roof maintenance is critical. You want to always stay on top of things and make sure that your roof in tip-top shape. Call A&J Reliable today to schedule your free roof inspection. If you need roofing work, we will be happy to provide you with an estimate and a timeline of how long it should take.