New Orleans Summer Roofing Tips
Summer is upon us, and the sun is hotter than ever. This blazing sun, as it shines on your roof, could be doing a lot of damage and you don’t even know it. Since your roof is an integral part of your home, keeping it in the best shape is crucial if you want to avoid a hefty repair bill in the future.
To keep your roof going strong, here are five helpful tips you can do yourself right now to make sure your roof is in the best condition possible:
#1 Check Your Gutters
If you have the means to do so, grab a ladder and closely examine your gutters to make sure they are free and clear of any debris. If you notice any leaves, branches or any material that should be there, then, depending on the size of the job, either consider hiring a professional to clean it out or take the time out of your day to do it yourself. Also, be sure to check the downspouts to ensure the water can flow freely without blockage. Block gutters and downspouts can prevent water from escaping, creating an ice dam in the cooler months, or if left untouched, water may overflow, spilling out off the sides of your home, eventually causing foundation damage.
#2 Inspect Your Roof From a Distance
Chances are you can visually inspect your roof from the ground without even climbing a ladder. From a distance, inspect your roof to see if you can see any cracking shingles, moss growth, missing shingles or damage of any kind. It’s important to resolve the problem as soon as possible to prevent moisture from seeping into your home. This small fix can potentially save you thousands in water damage in the future. Even though you may see a small cracked shingle, it doesn’t mean you need a new roof, so to play it safe, a professional should be considered just to make sure.
#3 Take Mold Seriously
During your personal inspection, if you notice any sign of mold, it’s important to act fast because mold can spread quite fast. As time goes on, mold can eat away at your shingles, eventually eating away at your wood, which can cause it to even rot over time. Mold will not only ruin your shingles, but it can increase your utility bills, allow water in where it shouldn’t be and even cause health problems for your family.
#4 Go out After a Storm
After a large wind storm, go outside when it’s safe and inspect the ground and roof to see if you can find any signs of shingle debris on the ground or newly lifted shingles on the roof. If you notice any shingles that appear to be curled, when it wasn’t before, then this could be a sign the adhesive strip beneath the shingle is no longer doing its job. Eventually, if ignored, the shingle will eventually rip away, allowing water to seep into places it shouldn’t.
#5 Check the Seals
Again, if you can, visually take a look at the flashing and seals around your vents, vent pipes and skylights if you have them. If the seals are starting to look frail or something doesn’t look right, then again, it’s probably time to call in the professionals to have them visually inspect it. As time goes on, these seals will continue to wear away, eventually letting moisture get into your home when it shouldn’t in the first place.
A roof can look great from a distance, but beneath its surface, it could be trouble, especially if your roof is older than 10 years. While you can only do so much on your own, consider visiting us at all-starroof.com to get a professional estimate for free. With a professional eye, you can be assured your roof is in tip-top shape and can last for years to come.