4 Common Summer Roof Problems

summer-roofing-tips

Summer Roof Repair Services

Aaaah. It finally feels like summer is here. After a long, rainy winter in Vancouver, you can almost hear the collective sigh of relief, and feel the general uptick in spirits as the sun comes out.

While we revel in the summertime sun, it’s also time to start thinking about summer home maintenance and repair. There are several jobs that are difficult to do in Vancouver winters so planning ahead to take advantage of the dry season will make life easier.

One important category is roof repair. Doing roof repairs in the summer makes a lot of sense. Not only that, summer brings its own set of challenges for roofs. In other words, there are roofing issues that occur in summer more often than the winter (which, of course, brings its own problems).

So we’ve come up with a list of the four most common summer roof issues and repairs so that you can stay ahead of the game and enjoy that Vitamin D while we have it.

UV Rays and Heat

Just like your skin, roofs can get damaged from the sun’s UV rays and the heat in general. Taken together, UV rays and heat can dry out shingles and cause them to crack. In many cases, some parts of a roof will be exposed to more heat than others so the wear on the shingles will occur at a different pace.

If you notice that your shingles are beginning to prematurely warp or crack, call a roofer to come in and inspect the roof for the extent of the damage.

Moss and Algae Growth

While the Vancouver’s wet weather brings rain, another thing it brings is moss and algae. Especially in the spring, when there are still showers that are followed by cycles of heat, this creates the perfect conditions for moss and algae to grow.

This is a problem home owners will want to address sooner than later. If left unchecked, the green growth can trap moisture against the roof. This can weaken shingles and over time lead to leaks.

Improper Ventilation

This problem is not so much found on the outside of the roof, rather underneath. The attic and the roof should be inspected together. Because if there is something wrong with one, the other will be affected.

For example, if an attic does is not properly ventilated, moisture and humidity trapped on the inside can cause the roof to weaken, and potentially shorten the lifespan of the roof.

Summer storms

While we don’t always associate Vancouver summers with stormy weather, that doesn’t mean there can’t be damaging weather systems that blow through. The city sees its fair share of strong wind storms, even summer rains and hail.

There’s only so much you can do to protect your roof in stormy weather. Keep trees trimmed and check for damaged and overhanging limbs, for example. After a storm has passed, do a spot check for any visibly damaged parts to the roof, or call in a roofer to do an assessment.

While we want to spend as much as we can enjoying the summer, it’s also the best time to do maintenance on our homes. One of the most important steps to maintenance is annual roof inspections. An inspection will help catch any problems before they become catastrophes.

When it comes to roofing, prevention is best. But no matter the season, a roof will occasionally face issues so it’s best to keep a watchful eye and fix problems quickly and properly. Calling in a professional roofer will ensure that your home is in the best shape possible.

In the meantime, enjoy that sun. It’s well deserved!