How can You Prepare Your Roof for the Upcoming Warm Weather?

Winter is almost over, and before we know it spring will be here. Springtime brings with it longer days, rain and sun, and more importantly the warmer weather. If you are a home or business owner, then you know firsthand how important it is to take care of your roof. Investing in your roof is investing in your entire home because the roof protects your home from the weather. Chances are, you prepared your roof for the colder weather back in the fall before the freezing temperatures and snowfall hit. Similarly, it’s time to prepare your roof for the scorching temperatures and rainfall of the warm weather months. We are Windy City Roofing & Siding and these are some of our helpful tips for preparing your roof for the warm weather months. 

Tips for Readying Your Roof for Warm Weather

Follow these steps to properly inspect, clean, and prepare your roof for the heat.

Inspect the Surface of Your Roof

It is important to inspect the surface of your roof. Check to see if you have any holes or cracks in your roof, or if any of the shingles are missing. If you don’t feel comfortable inspecting your roof, you can always have a roofing company perform an inspection. It is a good idea to have a professional look at your roof at least once every five years or so to ensure the quality of your roof. A cracked or damaged roof can lead to leaking, poor ventilation, and other issues within the home. It’s best to identify these issues before bouts of extreme weather, hot or cold.

Clean Your Gutters and Clear Your Drains

It is a good idea to clean your gutters twice a year: once before the winter, once before the summer. Make sure that your gutters are not clogged up with too much debris, sticks, or leaves because that could lead to water building up on top of and alongside of your roof. When that happens, it shortens the lifespan of your roof and can even lead to leaks that damage your walls or floors. Similarly, you should make sure your drains are cleaned out so the water can effectively flow and drain from the gutters.

Prevent Damage from Plants

Plants can damage roofs in several ways. Moss will commonly grow on a damp roof, and it can actually cause the roof to stay damp for an extended period of time. Believe it or not, moss can cause the edges of shingles to start lifting up, which in turn makes them more susceptible to fly off during a storm or a day with heavy winds. Similarly, ivy and other vines can start to grow up the side of your house. While some people like the quaint aesthetic of this look, if these vines latch themselves onto parts of your roof that have cracks, it could damage your roof by causing the cracks to become more substantial. Lastly, overhanging tree branches can fall off and damage your roof. Since plants tend to grow more rapidly in the warm weather, it is best to be proactive instead of reactive by trying to prevent these plants from growing near your roof in the first place.

Everyone Needs A Roof Over Their Head

The concept of having food on one’s table and a roof over one’s head is as old as time. Having suitable shelter is an absolute necessity, and in this day and age that means having a reliable and high quality roof for your house. Give Windy City a call at (847) 860-6204, or fill out our contact form to send us a message or schedule an appointment with one of our roofing specialists. We look forward to helping you with all of your roofing needs!