Taking Care of Your Roof in Summer
When we think about damage to roofs, we tend to think about the storms of autumn or the freezing weather of winter. Summertime seems far more benign — but don’t let that lull you into a sense of false security. You still need to keep an eye on your roof and prepare for some roof damage repair.
The Long-Term Effects of Winter on Your Roof
Just because your roof has come through winter without blowing off or causing a flood in your home, it doesn’t mean everything’s OK. Winter could have done hidden damage, and the summer is the perfect time to find it and solve it with roof damage repair.
If the wind or frost has caused tiny cracks in the roof tiles or the guttering, for instance, these can be made worse by further rainfall. Unfortunately, much as we like to think of glorious summer days, rain is common in the British summer, and you could suddenly find your roof leaking.
The Danger of Heat for Your Roof
It’s possible, of course, that we’ve used up this year’s allowance of hot weather in May, but we could be having more heatwaves before summer is over. And that could cause problems.
For one thing, excess UV rays hitting your roof in hot weather can dry out the roofing materials, making them brittle and liable to crack. For another, the fluctuation between daytime and night-time temperatures can result in the materials expanding and contracting, putting an immense strain on them. It’s vital to look out for damage to your roof during hot weather.
What You Need to Look Out For
In general, the dangers to look out for in summer are the same as at any time, including:
- Signs of cracked or missing tiles/slates
- Warping of the roof
- Tears in the fabric of a flat roof
- Mould or moss growing on the roof
- Cracked or blocked guttering or downpipes
- Damage to fascias and soffits
- Damage to flashing on chimney stacks and other structures
The best way of checking your roof from outside is through binoculars from ground level. This should give you a good idea of whether there’s a problem, but you should only climb up to look if you have a good ladder and know how to use it safely. You can also check for damp patches on the walls or ground that might show damaged guttering.
It’s also useful to look from inside. Ideally, go into your roof area in the daytime, with no lights on, and check whether you can see any pinpricks of light showing holes. You can also look for damp or mould on the walls or ceilings.
If you find anything wrong, the time to get it fixed is straight away, before it gets worse. Some small jobs are within the reach of an expert DIYer, but in general, your roof will need professional attention. Get in touch with us to find out what we can do for you.
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