Watch Out for These 5 Most Common Summer Roofing Issues

In Evanston, summers aren’t extreme, but temperatures still make us sweat – and test our roofs. We don’t have to describe to you how humid summers here get. Plus, July and August are the months with the most rain. 

Any of those climate conditions are a threat to your roof. And when they come in a package, you can expect some of the common summer roofing issues we’ll describe below. 

But don’t stress. It’s still not too late to protect yourself from unpleasant surprises. Read on and learn what to expect so that you can stay prepared.

Sun (Heat and UV) Damages Shingles

Sun-related problems cause a lot of pain to homeowners around the country. Luckily, temperatures and UV levels in Evanston, IL, aren’t extreme. However, that doesn’t mean your roof will avoid sun damage if you don’t take care of it. It may be wise to add a new layer of coating (if you haven’t done that in the last five years).

The more sun your shingles take, the faster they degranulate, bend, and crack. Once they start cracking, shingles start falling out. And a couple of them can cause an avalanche. So it’s good to check your roof for missing shingles every two months. Or after every storm.

Humidity Can Evolve Into Leaks

We live in a very humid area, and summers are especially dangerous considering the percentage of water in the air. High temperatures outside and lower inside (because of the AC) turn your roof into a tampon zone.

When the hot, humid air touches a cool roof, condensation occurs. That means your roof gets full of water even if it’s not raining. And the temperature difference doesn’t have to be massive for that to happen. It’s impossible to eliminate condensation, but it’s possible to prevent leaks that water may cause. Inspect your valleys and flashings for small cracks. Water loves those.

Wet Summers in Evanston Bring Rust

Everyone knows that rain and humidity make metal parts of the roof rust. When flashings and nails endure water for months, they lose the battle if they aren’t in perfect condition.

A pair of rusty dots on a flashing may not seem like a big deal. Yet once rust starts biting, it develops quickly. The worst thing is that microcracks may already be there, and you can’t see them. As mentioned, water loves cracks, and your roof hates water. If water reaches your decking, expect leaks (and expenses).

Clogged Gutters Can Cause Basement Flooding

Many homeowners hate cleaning gutters, so they don’t do it regularly. That’s a huge mistake, even in dry areas. In Evanston, IL, that’s one of the biggest roofing mistakes people make. Clogged gutters could turn your house into a waterfall.

All that water can make your walls crack. It can ruin foundations (and everyone knows how expensive that can be). And in case of severe rain, water can cause basement flooding.

Roof Ventilation Problems May Drain Your Money

We’ve already mentioned the problems condensation can cause during summer. We said it’s impossible to prevent it. But that doesn’t mean you should just let it go. Roof ventilation is your ally in that situation.

It reduces the temperature difference between the attic and the air outside. But it also lets you save some money on air conditioning because it cools your home. The same as damaged ventilation makes your bills higher.

Here to Keep You Calm No Matter What Happens

Brace yourself… Summer is already here. And in our area, that means high temperatures, humidity, and rain. Those three riders of the apocalypse could make your life difficult if your roof isn’t in perfect condition. To ensure you can stay calm no matter what starts falling from the sky – call your best, reliable local Evanston roofers to check your roof!