June
24
The Summer Storm Season is Officially Here!
We’ve now reached the summer solstice (June 21), so that means summer storm season has officially arrived in the Southeast! If you live anywhere in NC or VA, then you’re well aware that a popup thunderstorm can blow up with a very little warning. These quick hitters can produce a significant amount of rain and some pretty serious wind bursts. For that matter, we’re now into hurricane season as well. Even if you don’t live near the coast, hurricanes that make landfall can affect pretty much any location across North Carolina or Virginia. That being the case, now is a perfect time to make sure your roof is ready for summer storm season!
Summer Storm Roof Preparation Tips
You may be saying to yourself at this point, “But I cleaned out my gutters this past fall. I’m good, right?” Well, cleaning out your gutters once the leaves come down is a good and necessary thing, but we’re a few seasons removed from that now. Here are some good roof preparation/assessment to-dos to put on your checklist as we move into summer storm season:
1. Make Sure to Clear Away Any Overhead Vegetation
Overhanging branches from trees or large shrubs can threaten your roof in the event of a storm. It would be prudent to go ahead and prune any growth that’s directly adjacent to (or hanging over) your house. This will protect your roof from falling limbs and can also help reduce the volume of leaves and twigs that might accumulate in your gutters.
2. Check Out Your Roof Itself
For example, if you have a shingle roof, then you’ll want to check to see whether any shingles are damaged, loose, or missing altogether – if so, these should be replaced promptly. Take a look at your shingle granules, too; if a significant amount of granules are missing, the performance level of your shingles has probably diminished quite a bit. If you’re seeing lots of granules on the ground around your downspouts but not too many granules left on your shingles, it’s time to consider a roof replacement before any water damage threatens. And if your roof is covered with something besides shingles, now is still a great time to assess the condition of whatever roofing material you have.
3. Inspect the Seals & Flashing
Many homeowners tend not to consider the condition of their flashing and seals, either because they’re not trained in what to look for or because they’re simply unaware that it might be an issue. But it’s good to note that metal flashing can corrode, rust, and even erode over time. Any instance of damaged or depleted flashing can easily become an individual source of roof leakage. Your roof preparation checklist should include inspecting all of your flashings and also checking to make sure that all seals and weatherproofing are in good shape. If you happen to notice any exposed underlayment or decking anywhere on your roof, that’s something which really needs to be addressed right away.
4. Yep, Go Ahead and Check Those Gutters Too
Even if you did clean out your gutters this past fall, lots has happened since then. Winter storms can serve to shed more shingle granules, and spring pollen from nearby trees (especially hardwoods like oaks and maples) can clog up your gutters in a hurry. Insects and critters like to build nests in the spring and summer too, and gutters are one place they tend to favor. It’s important to clear away any nests you find inside your gutters or around your roof to help avoid any potential issues. Don’t forget to make sure your downspouts are clear, too.
Side note: If you’d prefer to never have to clean out your gutters again, now’s a perfect time to pull the trigger on having some gutter guards installed. Skywalker Roofing is proud to install several great gutter guard solutions in our NC and VA service areas. With the right gutter guards in place, you’ll have greater peace of mind knowing that your gutters will continue to deliver peak performance, even in the midst of a summer storm!
5. Take a Peek Inside the Attic, As Well
You’ll also want to make sure to take a peek around your attic. If everything looks dry and feels dry to the touch, that’s a good sign. But if you happen to find any water damage, see some water stains, or notice the presence of mold or mildew, that probably means you have a roof issue. And if you’ll make a point to check out your attic on a sunny day, you’ll be better able to pinpoint any gaps in your roofing that may need addressing.
6. Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
Doing regular self-checks of your roof is a great practice to follow. But unless you’ve had specific roofing training and experience, you could still miss something important. To that end, the best way to get an accurate handle on the current condition of your roof is to entrust your roof inspection to a local, licensed professional.
Choose Skywalker to Serve Your Roofing Needs in NC and VA
We hope you’ll find this checklist to be helpful as you’re getting your roof ready for the summer storm season. But if you come to the realization that your roof has seen more than its share of summers, the best move really might be to go ahead and make plans for a roof replacement. And if any strong storms have already moved in and you’re in the place of needing emergency roof repair, then it’s absolutely time to bring in a local expert. And Skywalker Roofing is the roofing contractor you can trust for comprehensive roofing services in NC & VA!
Skywalker offers a full array of rugged, wind-tested roofing material installations, including slate, tile, metal roofing, wood shakes, composite roofing, and quality shingle products from Owens Corning. We also offer custom fabrication of seamless gutters right onsite, and we install the best low-maintenance gutter guard solutions, as well.
Not sure how to pay for it? We’ve got plenty of affordable options. The Skywalker team is 100% committed to helping you find the best way to afford the roof, gutter, and other home improvement services you need, and we offer a number of attractive financing solutions. If you have a need anywhere in the NC Piedmont Triad, Piedmont Triangle, Lake Norman area, or southern VA region, Skywalker is here to serve!
You can connect with us by calling +1 (336) 627-5596 and one of our friendly experts will be happy to answer your questions and get your FREE initial roof inspection and personal consultation scheduled. Experience the Skywalker roofing difference for yourself!
