Summer is winding down and we can already feel the promise of fall in the air. We all know that each season brings its own pluses and minuses, especially in Nebraska where we distinctly experience all of the four seasons. They also each pose a unique hazard to your home’s roof. Knowing how your roof could be negatively impacted by each season’s hazards will help you be better prepared and identify issues before they become crises.
Summer
The heat is great for swimming, sunbathing, and lounging on your favorite outdoor patio with a cold drink. It’s not so great for your roof, though. Humidity breeds fungus and algae on your shingles and these nasty substances can weaken the structure of your roof. Poor ventilation is usually a culprit in algae growth, so make sure your roof is well-ventilated going into the warmer seasons. Along with humidity, the sun’s UV rays can also cause your shingles to crack and warp. When this happens, air and water can get into the house and do further damage. To make sure your roof is sound, schedule regular roof inspections.
Spring
Spring is the season when the world gets reborn. But along with the new flowers and baby animals, there’s also plenty of moisture from rain and melting snow. If any damage has been done to your roof during the harsh winter months, you need to get it fixed quickly before the heavy rains start. Keep an eye out for leaks in your home, pools of water collecting on your roof, or damaged shingles. If the winter has been an especially harsh one, now might be the right time to get an inspection.
Fall
It’s called ‘fall’ for a reason! This is the season for falling leaves, branches, and other debris that can easily damage your roof or get caught in your gutters and clog them. Clogs can cause ice dams and can also reduce proper drainage, damaging not only your roof but also potentially the structure of your home. Get your gutters cleaned toward the end of fall and make sure you get an inspection if strong fall storms with high winds have torn off any shingles or caused other damage.
Winter
The harsh Nebraska winters are usually the worst season for your roof. Ice, snow, and freezing temperatures are all hazards. The aforementioned ice dams are a particularly damaging possibility. They form when snow melts after falling on your roof, collects in the gutter, and freezes again. These blocks of ice can damage shingles and your gutters and the blockage can cause water to leak into your home. Proper insulation will help with this issue, as will making sure your gutters were cleaned out at the end of fall. No season is safe for your roof no matter where you live. But if you know what to watch out for, get regular roof inspections, and call a professional like those at Hometown Roofing as soon as you see a red flag, you can prevent a problem from becoming an emergency.
