Every summer, your roof is exposed to extreme heat and high humidity. As the temperatures rise to the mid-90s Fahrenheit, the warm weather can cause your roof to expand, asphalt shingles to crack, and your roof’s construction materials to endure thermal shock. Is there anything you can do as a homeowner, besides sit back and watch as your roof struggles under the summer heat? Yes, and here are 4 steps you can take to protect your roof.
Avoid Walking on Your Roof
Under heavy heat, walking around on your roof during heavy heat can contribute to further deterioration of the surface. Your roof reaches very high temperatures during the day, then quickly cools off when the sun sets in the evening. The fluctuation in temperatures causes your roofing materials to expand and contract, which weakens your roof’s structural integrity over the months. Not only could walking on your roof contribute to your significant damage to your home’s structure, but the weakened roof could cause you to fall and injure yourself.
Remove Water Buildup
If you see a build up of water (as a pool or puddle) on your roof, it means there is an issue with your roof’s drainage system or even building infrastructure. Despite the extreme summer heat, the high volume of water can’t evaporate off the roof and has nowhere to drain. Heat paired with water buildup is the perfect habitat for mold to grow, which spells even more costly problems for your home. When you see water buildup, contact Exterior Remodel & Design, Inc., to schedule an inspection so our experts can effectively and efficiently address the situation with least amount of cost to you.
Insulate Your Attic with Radiant Barriers
As your roof absorbs the radiant heat from the sun, it heats up and eventually re-radiate the heat in all directions. Normally, heat is first absorbed by your attic before it makes its way into your home. Traditional attic insulation slows down the heat transfer process to your home, but doesn’t completely stop the transfer. When you install a radiant barrier between the roof and attic insulation, it breaks the heat transfer path by reflecting the radiant heat back toward the roof. By keeping the attic insulation cooler, you will significantly reduce the amount of heat transfer entering your home. To effectively install the radiant barrier, you can either staple it to the bottom of your roof rafters or lay it out over the attic insulation.
Install a Solar-Powered Fan
To increase the natural ventilation in your attic and cool your home, you can install a solar-powered fan that forces air through your roof’s vents. With placement at the edge of your roof or side of your home, you can direct the fan toward your attic’s vent to keep hot air pumping out of your home. You can use an electric- or battery-powered fan to perform the same tactic, but a solar-powered fan is especially beneficial as it works only when the sun is out.
Contact Our Professionals
Have you performed an inspection on your roof lately? If you’ve noticed any damage to your roof, contact our roofing professionals. Our team of experts are exceptional skilled and educated on the latest and most effective techniques to ensure your roof is in peak condition.