This weekend is Memorial Day and unofficially marks the start of Summer 2021! Summer is a season full of outdoor activities, days at the beach and barbecues. But it is also the hottest season, and the temperatures will be rising. Depending on the person, you may love the hot temperatures but your roof does not! In our previous blog we mention how high temperatures can negatively affect your roof as time passes. So how do we prevent any damage? Follow these summer roof maintenance tips and you will have a healthy roof!
Remove debris
A very important place to start is removing any excess debris that is lingering on your roof or in your gutters. This includes twigs, branches, leaves and any other undesirable debris. While doing this, safety should be your number one priority- if you are not able to climb up to the roof, we recommending hiring someone to do this step. This also should be done by hand with gloves, or any other tool such as a leaf blower. Avoid using a power washer. A power washer, though seems like a logical idea, can cause unwanted damage due to the focused pressure.
Check for mold, moss & algae
The summer brings heat and also humidity from all the rain, which increases the chance of algae to build up on your home. If left untreated, algae can eventually eat away at your roof leading to roof decay. Moss left on roofs can cause shingles to curl and crack. Heavy moss can block water, create buildup under the shingles, and eventually damage the roof deck. If you see moss or algae on your roof, remove it ASAP to prevent these problems. Mold damage can happen fast, so it’s essential to check your roof often.
Trim trees
An important tip is to trim the trees that overhang on your roof. Summer is known for it’s unpredictable storms, and it wouldn’t take much for a branch or limb to break off of the tree causing damage to your roof. Trimming back your trees so they are about 8 ft. away from your roof will prevent damage and a possible roof replacement. Trees that are over your roof could also cause damage to the gutter, if leaves and twigs are falling off and weighing your gutter system down.
Check your attic
Attic insulation is critical in the summer because it’s what’s keeping all of the heat it’s absorbing out of your living space. It’s also important to check for any signs of moisture or mold while you’re up there, as this can point to water leakage.Here are some signs of roof mold damage you can see from your attic:
- If you discover watermarks along the ceiling or walls of your attic, your roof may have a hole.
- If your attic smells musty and you spot mildew across your ceiling, you have a roof leak.
- Discolored rafters mean the wood has absorbed the water from a leak above on your roof.
Schedule a roof inspection
At MLM, we provide free roof inspections. It costs you zero money out of pocket for us to come and inspect your roof for you. Inspecting these things yourself can turn into something more complicated, and unless you have roofing experience you might not be 100% sure what you need to look for. MLM employees are highly trained and will take all of that stress off your hands. Remember- preventative maintenance is better than serious repairs and replacements (and cheaper!). Call us at 844-MLM-ROOF to schedule your appointment.
