How to Keep Your Roof in Great Shape This Summer

The summer can be hard on your roof.

Every season presents new challenges for your roof, and summer is no exception. The good news, though, is that with proper maintenance, you can keep your roof in great shape all summer long.

4 Roof Maintenance Tips for Summer

#1. Maintain your gutters.

The gutters and downspouts are a critical part of your roofing system, because they move water safely off of your roof. If they’re not properly maintained or in ill-repair, it can cause all kinds of problems, including roof leaks.

Gutters put up with a lot over the summer. In addition to the typical clogs caused by leaves, twigs, and other debris, the summer subjects our gutters to harsh weather, which can loosen them and cause leaks.

Keep a close eye on your gutters, and watch out for any misaligned areas. Make sure to tighten any bolts that have become loose. Clean out your gutters and downspouts of any debris that may be building up in them.

Test your gutters and downspouts by feeding a hose into them. This is also a good way to look for any leaks. If you spot a leak, work with your local roofing contractor for gutter repair or replacement.

#2. Trim back overhanging branches.

There’s nothing better than sitting under the shade of a tree on a hot summer day, but when that tree starts growing over your roof, it could spell trouble.

Summer is notorious for thunderstorms, which is why you need working gutters and downspouts, and it’s also one of the reasons it’s necessary to trim back any overhanging branches. You never know when a bolt of lighting or strong gust of wind could cause that branch to fall on your roof, and if it does, it’s bound to do some damage.

Not only do falling tree limbs pose a threat, but overhanging limbs also make it easier for pests to get on your roof and potentially into your home, where they can cause a lot of damage of their own.

Trimming high tree limbs is incredibly dangerous and should not be attempted on your own. Not only could you do serious damage to your roof if the branch falls, but you could seriously injure yourself, as well. Always turn to a licensed tree care specialist or arborist near you for tree limb removal.

#3. Inspect your roof.

Between the thunderstorms that can bring wind and hail to the scorching heat, summer poses lots of threats to your roof. Luckily, if you catch damage early enough, you can repair it fast enough that it won’t lead to a lot of other damage. But, if you let your roof sit in disrepair, the damage will only get worse.

The only way to stay on top of any damage to your roof is to regularly inspect it. I don’t recommend getting on your roof unless you know how to do so safely. Even if you don’t injure yourself, you run the risk of damaging your roof with a single misplaced foot. That’s why you should get your roof inspected on an annual basis by a licensed roofing contractor.

Between professional inspections, though, it pays to keep an eye on your roof. Here’s what to look for when inspecting your roof from the ground:

  • Damaged Shingles – Look for curling, buckling, cracked, or missing shingles.
  • Moss or mold – If you live in a humid part of the country, watch out for dark spots on your roof, which could indicate mold or moss.
  • Flashing damage – Flashings seal the spots on your roof that are most prone to leaks, like around vents, the chimney, and a skylight.

#4. Make sure that your roof is properly ventilated.

Heat rises, which means that all of the heat in your home rises to the top-most room, which is your attic. If your attic isn’t properly ventilated and doesn’t push that heat outside, it builds up on the underside of your roof, where it can actually cause damage from the inside out.

Here are a few signs of poor roof ventilation:

  • Attic moisture – When the heat builds up in your attic, moisture often builds up with it. If there’s an excess amount of moisture in your attic, it’s a sign that it’s lacking ventilation.
  • Rusty attic fasteners – The metal fasteners in your attic, like components on your HVAC or electrical system, get rusty when the moisture starts building up too much in your attic.
  • Insulation damage – If you’ve got fiberglass insulation in your attic — as most homes do — it’s quickly damaged by the build-up of moisture.
  • Shingle damage – If the roof temperature is too high, it can cause the shingles to warp, crack, or buckle.

If you’re unsure whether or not your roof is properly ventilated, have it inspected by a professional roofer. Proper ventilation can make your roof last longer and prevent expensive damage, so it’s important not to overlook it.


Find the right roofing contractor near you with Top Rated Local®.

If your roof is in need of professional roof inspection, repair, maintenance, or replacement, contact a local roofing contractor to get the service you need. Having the right roofer on your side will give you peace of mind in knowing that your roof is in good hands, but not all roofers are made equal.

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