How To Prepare Your Roof For All Weather Conditions

Living in Arizona means unpredictable weather conditions. The climate can vary from highly arid summers to weeks of continuous storms and rains to mild winters. As your first defense against these weather conditions, your roof should be adequately prepared to withstand these significant weather fluctuations. 

This post enumerates some valuable tips to prepare your roof for any weather conditions, ensuring its longevity and appeal. Keep on reading to learn more.

 

 

• Do Regular Inspections

Most homeowners only check their roofs when obvious issues, such as water leaks, occur. However, experts recommend that you inspect your roof at least once or twice a year to ensure it’s still in good condition. It allows you to check for minor issues that need fixing, preventing further damage in the long run. 

In addition to your routine inspection schedule, you should inspect your roofing system after extreme weather events such as snow, hurricanes, or hail. While you can do roof inspections on your own, it’s best if you hire an expert roofing company. 

Experts have the necessary experience and tools to climb up and down your roof, check minor issues, and fix them accordingly, saving you the hassle of doing the job on your own. Plus, hiring a roofer can help you avoid accidents and injuries, particularly if you have a sloped or higher roof. 

Do you need a roofer? You can ask your family and friends for recommendations. A quick Google search can also provide you with a list of local roofers to call. Just make sure to do your homework and be meticulous in your inquiry. 

• Clean The Roof And Gutters

Cleaning your roofing system is one of the best ways to keep it in its best condition to withstand harsh outdoor weather. Accumulated debris and dirt invite moisture, moss, and mold, which can cause damage, wear and tear, and material rotting. 

Thus, you should have a regular cleaning schedule for your roofing system. Using a hose, brush, homemade roof cleaner, and elbow grease, you can keep your roof clean and free of mold.

Aside from the roof, you should clean the rest of your roofing system too. Your roof has a drainage system that includes gutters and downpipes. These components direct collected water from your roof away from your home. 

Over time, your gutter and downpipes can get clogged due to the accumulation of dust and debris. If your drains and downpipes are blocked during rainy days, water can overflow along your gutter and cause a lot of damage along roof cavities, eaves, and down the side of your home. 

To prevent this issue, you must clean your gutters and downpipes too, removing debris such as dead leaves. Ideally, you should clean your gutters at least twice a year, during late spring and fall. Install drainage grates and gutter guards to prevent larger debris from blocking your gutters and eavestroughs. 

 

 

• Trim Overgrown Trees

Trees can enhance curb appeal and provide a cooling shade during the hot summers. Nonetheless, trees can damage your roof if not trimmed to a manageable height. 

Overhanging trees can increase debris accumulation on your roof and gutters, especially during autumn when branches and twigs are falling. And strong winds can be a hazard if tree branches close to your roof rub and damage the surface layer of roofing material. During extreme weather events such as hurricanes, overgrown trees, and large branches can fall on your roof, causing extensive damage to your roofing. 

To avoid these issues, trim any branches and trees near your house or roof. If you have trees in compromised positions that could come down on your roof with heavy winds, consider hiring a tree removal expert. 

• Prevent Ice Dams

In areas where winter can plunge to negative temperatures and are prone to winter storms, your roof is subject to severe damage. Frozen branches can break even without strong winds and poke your roof materials. 

A more particular roof damage during winter is the formation of ice dams when the snow melts and refreezes. In this case, ice and water shields can help add an extra layer of protection. These shields are roof underlayment that prevents the formation of ice dams. 

That said, even if an ice dam forms, these roof shields protect against leaks and water damage. Proper insulation and using electric heat cables can also help prevent ice dams during winter. 

Takeaway

Your roof takes a significant beating throughout the year. So, give it some TLC every once in a while. Following the above-mentioned tips, you can keep your roof in tip-top shape, ensuring better protection for your family and personal belongings against seasonal elements.