Don’t Talk About Snow and Roof Repairs While It’s Summer

While you are lounging by the waterside under a “sunbrella” and a tall, cool drink in hand, the last thing on your mind is winter damage to your roof. For anyone living in a northern state where winters can be harsh, mentioning snow in August is taboo. On the other hand it would be remiss not to remind you of a few things you can do ahead of the cold season to keep your roof weather tight when you will depend on it the most.

If you can pull yourself off your lounge chair for a few minutes, here are some things you can do now while the weather is fair to prevent leaks and water damage and subsequent roof repairs when you least want to face the elements to climb up on your roof:

Ensure you have adequate ventilation in your attic. A poorly ventilated space just under your roof will wreak havoc with your trusses and shingles and will end up costing far more than installing a couple of good roof vents. The ability for the air in your attic to circulate means the snow and ice will not gather on your roof shingles, causing them to warp and crack. In the end it will also save you money on your heating bill.

A couple vents will not insure proper ventilation.  A proper ventilation system consists of intake vents at the soffit and exhaust vents such as a roof power fans or ridge vents.  This will also help prevent ice damming in the winter which will not only damage the roof  but will also cause serious interior damage along inside walls and basement leaks when the snow and ice melts. 

Clean out the debris from your gutters. The fact is that where you have full gutters, you also have blocked downspouts and this traps the water, forcing it to back up under your shingles. It gets even worse as the temperatures drop and the water turns into ice. This lifts the shingles up and cracks them, leaving your roof wide open to the elements. Your gutters should transport the water in a clean flow off your roof to the ground without diversion.

As a matter of fact, anywhere you see organic debris collecting on your roof get rid of it. It traps moisture and as it decomposes the shingles beneath join the party. Rotting leaves and twigs will cause your roof to deteriorate more rapidly than you care to know.

One of the most undesirable culprits to promote a leaky roof is loose flashing that is meant to protect joints and openings around pipes, vents, chimneys and the edge of the roof. Exposure to extreme temperatures and the wind breaks down the sealant around the flashing and you will only discover it when you see water damage in your ceilings and walls.

Although none of these situations is insurmountable, it’s quite alright if you can’t tear yourself away from your summer fun. You don’t have to do this yourself. There are many professionals adept at roof repairs where you live that can save you the climb up a ladder when you want to enjoy every minute of the warmer season.