Published June 15, 2021
Updated April 5, 2023
There's nothing like relaxing during the summer, but you shouldn't get too relaxed yet, because your roof could probably use some summer maintenance! Here in Charleston, South Carolina, the peak of hurricane season is in September. So don't wait until then to take care of your roof.
By routinely inspecting your roof or hiring a professional, you can prevent immense amounts of damage from occurring to your home. So while you have more time on your hands during the summer, consider what you can do to maintain your roof!
If you can't think of anything, don't worry! The Roofing USA experts have put together a list of six top summer roof maintenance tips to protect your home from unnecessary damage this hurricane season.
1. Inspect and Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters is a significant step in maintaining your roof during the summer.
Here in the south, it rains a lot during that time of year. These rains bring debris into gutters. When too much debris builds up, the rain has nowhere to flow. Eventually, the water will back up under the shingles and cause damage to your roof.
When cleaning your gutters, ensure that water has a clear pathway to follow. For example, leaves and sticks trapped in the gutters might pose barriers to excess rainwater.
Also, don't forget to check the downspouts where the water rushes to the ground! Blockages can also occur at this point in your gutters.
2. Remove Large Overhanging Tree Limbs
The trees look beautiful during Charleston summers, but their limbs pose threats to your home's roof. When tree limbs are large and heavy, they are especially dangerous over your house.
During a summer storm, they could easily fall and damage shingles. Tree limbs can also sweep across the roof of your home, ripping up shingles or cracking them.
However, by trimming those tree limbs, you can avoid any potential damages caused by them. Of course, you don't have to trim branches that aren't in the way of your roof — just those that could severely damage your roof.
3. Routinely Remove Debris
Along with trimming away limbs, you should also routinely remove any debris that has fallen on your roof. Even if you are cleaning out your gutters regularly, your entire roof still needs routine tidying.
Additionally, if you routinely remove leaves and tree limbs, you'll find that your gutters are also easier to maintain because there is less debris building up over time.
However, if you fail to remove debris, you will find that it will eventually cause your shingles to rot. Deteriorating shingles weaken the barrier between your home and water. A roofing contractor can tell you that if your roof damages are beyond a simple repair, you may have to choose a complete roof replacement.
4. Check Your Shingles
While you remove debris, you should also check for any damaged shingles. They can deteriorate over time, which is entirely normal!
If you notice only one or two shingles are damaged, you can quickly repair them. By patching these areas in your roof, you will help prevent leaks and other water damage. If you're not sure how to conduct good roof patching, expert roofing contractors can help.
However, ignoring your damaged shingles can result in severe leaks, potentially flooding areas of your home. On the other hand, simple repairs extend the life of your roof while possibly saving you money during hurricane season.
5. Identify Any Existing Water Damage
One last thing to do while on your roof is to check for any existing water damage. Small leaks can occur here and there without you knowing about them!
To identify water damage, you will see dark spots on your roof, which indicate a leak. Make sure to address these areas quickly! When there is water damage, mold is not too far behind. Therefore, the quicker you repair leaks, the less likely mold damage will spread into your home.
You can keep up with roof maintenance by regularly documenting what your roof looks like through pictures and keeping a roof maintenance checklist every year. This will help you track any changes over time!
6. Call a Charleston Roofing Company for Your Roofing Needs
Maybe being up on your roof isn't for you. That's okay! Seasonal roof care is often best handled by a certified roofing expert with the training to conduct a roof inspection and handle the maintenance tasks we've mentioned today.
If you'd rather stay on the ground and leave your summer roof care to professionals (while you enjoy your summer), Roofing USA can help!
Roofing USA Delivers the Best Local Roof Maintenance Services
We here at Roofing USA have your back! We offer free roof inspections and deliver maintenance services to homeowners in the Charleston and Hilton Head areas. By allowing our team to complete the appropriate maintenance on your home, you can prevent severe damage during hurricane season.
Reach out to our Charleston, SC, roofing professionals today for all of your roofing repair and maintenance needs or to schedule a Free Inspection!
