Of all the common home problems that you’re likely to come across, few have the potential to devastate your home like a roof leak. Though most roof leaks are fairly minor and easily repaired, it’s important to know what conditions can cause roof leaks so that you can have your roof inspected before major damage occurs. Summer weather, in particular, poses unique challenges to your home’s roof. Here are four summer-specific reasons that your roof may be leaking.
Hail
Due to the way that hail is formed in the atmosphere, it is uncommon to see hail except in the late spring and summer. Unfortunately, hail can bring with it significant destructive power for even the hardiest of roofs. The pellets of ice can put holes in your shingles that will quickly lead to roof leaks. Therefore, any time you so much as suspect hail has fallen, be sure to have your roof inspected as soon as possible.
High Winds
Though high winds can occur any time of the year, they are especially common during strong summer storms. Even for new roofs, high winds can cause significant damage as they peel away shingles and flashing, leaving nothing but the tar paper to protect your home. Even if you don’t see any damage to your roof from the ground, it’s still a good idea to have residential roofing services come out and inspect your roof to ensure there’s no hidden damage.
Clogged Gutters
Although there is a major emphasis on cleaning your gutters in the fall, this emphasis tends to wane in the summer. However, there is still plenty of gutter-clogging debris that falls when the weather is warmer. During downpours, gutters that are even partially clogged can overflow, causing significant damage to your roof’s plywood sheathing. It’s important, then, that you clean your gutters on a regular schedule instead of waiting to see debris sticking out of the gutters to signal that your gutters need to be cleaned.
Too Much Humidity
Your attic serves as a buffer zone of sorts between your roof and the rest of your home. If your attic is not properly ventilated, the humid air that dwells in your attic could cause damage to your roof that leads to leaks. As the moist air continuously contacts the plywood sheathing, the sheathing can be warped to the point that the shingles no longer stay attached. If the shingles are gone, your home no longer has protection from the elements.
The best way to handle a leaking roof is to prevent a leak from happening in the first place. The best way to make this happen is to have your roof inspected at least once a year. Even if you don’t experience any severe weather events, a regular inspection of your roof will help to put a quick stop to any potential problems.