Roof It Forward - How to Maintain Your Roof in Different Seasons

No matter what season it is, your roof will have to take the brunt of the outdoor elements. Whether it is rain, wind, snow, or sun, your home needs a strong and properly maintained roof to keep you and your family safe. Keep reading to learn how to maintain your roof in different seasons.

Summer Roof Maintenance

Summer storms and the sun could wreak havoc on your roof. By making sure your roof is intact, you can prevent damage.

- Check for any cracked or buckling shingles. The sun's rays can result in your shingles cracking if they have to go through continuous condensing and expansion due to weather-changing patterns. If your shingles are older and have a worn-down protective coating, they are more susceptible to this type of damage.

- Make sure your attic is properly ventilated. If your attic does not have the correct amount of ventilation, the airflow in and out of your home can be compromised. Without enough vents, the warm air that rises into your attic will not be able to escape, building the perfect environment for mold to grow and keeping your house warmer while you are running your air conditioning.

- Check for small holes in your roof from your attic. Pests and insects are looking for sports to get away from the summer heat. If there are any openings in your roof into your attic, pests can easily make their way in. Also, this could be an invitation for water from summer storms to come in. If the hole is small enough, the leak could go unnoticed until the water damage is extensive.

Fall Roof Maintenance

As the leaves change color and begin to fall, they can begin to fall on your roof and gutters. Use these maintenance tips to keep your roof in great condition while the temperatures begin to cool.

- Trim nearby trees. If any branches are hanging over your roof, the leaves and twigs will fall into your gutters, leading to a potential clog. Also if a branch falls, it could severely puncture your roof.

- Check your chimney and flashing. As the temperature outside gets colder, you may start using your fireplace. Before using your fireplace in the fall, make sure that your chimney is working properly. This is also an opportunity to have the flashing around your chimney checked to ensure there are not any weak points where water could be making its way into your attic.

Winter Roof Maintenance

Now that the cold, snow, and ice have arrived, your roof is going to be put to the ultimate test. Take these tips and tools to make sure your roof makes it through the winter.

- Check your attic insulation. As you start turning on the heat in your home, you want to make sure that it is staying inside your house. If you have minimal insulation in your attic, it will not be able to properly retain the heat that your air conditioning system is working hard to produce.

- Remove snow and ice as soon as possible. Over the winter, snow, and ice can begin to accumulate on your roof and gutters. If the weight of the snow and ice becomes too heavy for your roof, it can collapse in on itself. Throughout the winter system, make sure you are removing any snow that builds up on your roof and any ice dams that form on your gutters.

Spring Roof Maintenance

Spring is the perfect time to tackle your maintenance tasks for your roof. You can take the opportunity to mend your roof from the fall & winter and prepare for the summer.

- Clean out your gutters. After all of the leaves from fall and the snow from winter, your gutters are ready for a clean-out. If you leave the debris unattended, a clog can occur and stop your gutter system from operating correctly.

Cleaning your gutters is extremely important for the overall health of your roof. Learn more here.

- Have your shingles inspected and replaced if needed. Throughout the summer, fall, and winter, your shingles have experienced multiple types of storms and weather patterns. Spring is your opportunity to have an inspection done to make sure that your shingles are in great shape for the rest of the year, and if they are not, you can have them repaired or replaced.

To ensure your roof is prepared for this next season, have a qualified roofing contractor perform an inspection. ARAC Roof It Forward offers a free video roof inspection so we can show you videos and photos of the damage on your roof from the safety of the ground. Our goal at Roof It Forward is to provide our community with high-quality roofing solutions to keep you and your family safe in your home. Schedule your free video inspection today!