Summer is great but it does tend to rain a lot. From summer sprinkles to severe thunderstorms, it’s important to make sure your roof can withstand the harsh New England that hits in July and August. The last thing you want is to get a leak in your roof, which can cause problems for your whole house if not addressed quickly. Here are some summer roof maintenance tips to ensure a leak-free season.

Check For Gaps

Roof leaks can occur from gaps in the roofing system. It doesn’t take much of a gap, either. The shingles and underlayment act as a waterproof barrier to prevent water from seeping in, but that protection is compromised when gaps appear along the seams. This is often due to missing shingles or cracked sealants. If you spot gaps, seal and repair them immediately.

Inspect the Flashing

Flashings are strips of PVC or metal that run along the ridges and valleys of your roof. They are designed to channel water runoff during a rainstorm, so it’s important that the flashing is as waterproof as possible. Replace warped or broken flashing immediately and don’t walk on it when doing routine roof inspections, as you could cause further damage.

Clean Out Your Gutters

Gutters that are full of leaves and debris cannot do their job, which is to safely divert water runoff away from the home. Clean out your gutters in fall and spring so that they make it through the rigors of winter and summer. Check that the downspouts are positioned correctly as well.

Trim Back Tree Limbs

Overhanging branches can puncture your roof and cause leaks. Not only can limbs break off during storms and hit the roof, low-hanging branches can scrape your shingles while stripping off layers of granules. On top of that, the fallen leaves and twigs from those branches will accumulate in your gutters. Trim branches back seasonally to prevent this from happening.

Inspect the Attic

Issues in your attic such as damaged insulation or punctured vent ducts can also be to blame for leaks. In fact, they can cause water to condense in such a manner that it mimics a roof leak. Perform an attic inspection before booking a roofing inspection just to rule out attic-based leaks.

Attic checks in summer in general can be beneficial. These areas can heat up to 150 degrees in summer, which means your roof absorbs a lot of heat from the sun’s UV rays. This heat then radiates into your attic air. If you have an improperly ventilated attic and intense heat buildup, this can greatly reduce the life of your roof. Why? All that heat causes your shingles to curl and crack, which can result in roof leaks. Make sure you have sufficient insulation to keep out the heat and moisture this summer.

Contact Hi-Tech Windows and Siding for Roofing Repair & Installation

Get a free consultation and estimate on your roofing project when you call us at 800-851-0900 or Request a Quoteonline today. We offer a variety of roofing services, from repair and replacement to maintenance and inspection.