In Florida, if not in the middle of our lengthy summer season, it is seemingly right around the corner. That means months of daily rainstorms. Your roof is in place to keep your property dry and safe. However, it can not operate at its full potential without regular maintenance and professional inspections. While you may think it’s “okay for now,” however, if left unaddressed, minor issues in your roof can cause major damage to the overall structure of the building after consistent rain during the summer season. We’ve compiled a list of actions that can help ensure your roof is in the best possible condition to protect your home in the face of severe weather.
Clean the Area
One of the first things you should do is to clear off any debris on top of the roof and remove any clutter in your gutter. What this does is allow water to flow the way the roof was initially designed, where it will travel off the roof and into the gutters to be deposited off of your building. Any branches or leaves restricting this movement can cause standing water to apply pressure to the structure or mold to grow in stagnant puddles.
However, it is important to keep a few things in mind. Navigating your roof, particularly without the proper safety equipment and training, is a dangerous endeavor and not advised. More so, a damp or wet roof, can become even more treacherous. While wanting to maintain your roof yourself is understandable, it is best left to the professionals.
Examine Flashing and Pipes
The flashing and pipes along your roof are meant to help keep water from entering your building and then move it away from your roof. Make sure to examine these pieces and determine that they are in good working order, without too much rusting or corrosion taking place.
Similar to cleaning your roof, a full roof inspection is best left to those trained in OSHA’s safety standards to ensure the inspection is done as safely as possible. Additionally, examining flashing may require lifting shingles and doing so incorrectly could lead to unintentional damage of your roof’s structure. Breaking the seal of your shingles is not advisable. It is best to schedule a free inspection with a Roof Commander associate to ensure a licensed roofer is taking the proper precautions to protect your roof.
Watch for Damages
Be on the lookout for any damages to the shingles or any other structural part of the roof. If any pieces are warped, broken, shifted, or in any other altered condition, have these pieces replaced as soon as possible before the rainy season begins. Even a few small cracks in the tiles of your roof can have massive consequences for your building and cost a large amount of money if leakage does occur.
Protect Your Roof
Ensuring the integrity of your roof is imperative before the rain comes. At Roof Commander, we can fix any issue you find in your roof and can help you protect your roof for all the storms that are coming. If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about the best way to protect your roof, give Roof Commander a call at 352-459-7599.