Learn five ways to get your roof ready for our state’s largest storm season
We love rainy weather here in Arizona during our hot summers! However, our roofs may not enjoy these stormy months quite the same. Monsoon season occurs from June through September in Arizona and brings on natural occurrences like thunderstorms and flash flooding. Just like rainstorms, haboobs are also present during these monsoon months – and with them they bring lots of wind, tree damage and dust leaving roofs vulnerable to weather destruction. So what can you do to protect your roof from unwanted harm this summer? Follow these five tips.
Get Damaged Shingles Repaired
Your roof shingles are the first line of defense during any storm, so it’s important to ensure they can do their job correctly by remaining intact. Warning signs of broken or damaged shingles include small tears and rips that may let in water, warping or cracking. If you’re unsure of whether the roof shingles need repair, it’s always a good idea to get a roof inspection completed to determine if there are any problems and to prepare your roof for maximum protection during monsoon season.
Check for Leaks
No one wants to resort to the bucket method every time it rains. An abundance of large roof issues can be avoided by fixing small leaks and defects before they worsen. Having your roof inspected for leaks before monsoon season can save you future headaches and ensure your property is safer during these rainy months. Warning signs of a roof leak could include water spots on your ceiling or walls, water spots or wet roof decking and broken or missing shingles.
Clean Out Gutters
Having a proper gutter system to battle summer storms is necessary. As gutters are commonly a hotspot for debris and other unwanted materials to accumulate and cause damage from high winds and rain, be sure to have your gutters thoroughly inspected and cleaned entirely. It’s important to also make the appropriate adjustments to the guttering system, like checking for adequate tightness and having your downspouts placed at proper angles of effectiveness to drain rain water away and avoid clogging.
Trim Surrounding Foliage
While surrounding landscape add natural beauty to any property, if not properly maintained, any major foliage surrounding your home can cause damage to a roof during a storm. Trees, tree branches, bushes and any shrubbery that has the potential to move around when wind and rain hit should be trimmed back and well kept. Leaves, sticks and branches can get clogged in your gutter system as well as potentially damage your roof’s shingles. Doing some major maintenance on your front and backyard can save you money in the future, as well as protect your home!
Inspections Go a Long Way
The most important thing you can do for your roof is to get a seasonal inspection by a professional roofing contractor. Having your roof inspected before a monsoon can be especially helpful to find hidden damage such as leaks, broken or missing shingles and clogged gutters. An inspection can find faults in your roof’s layout and suggest repairs before these small issues progress into larger ones like moisture damage or flooding.
When making decisions for repairs, inspections and maintenance on your roof, turn to American Roofing & Waterproofing. Our team has the experience and knowledge to provide you with quality service you can trust this monsoon season and all year long!