Summertime in Southern California is a joyous time. From Memorial Day observances and barbeques, to high school and college graduations, and all of those long, sunny days, winter weather seems so far away.
The reality is that Labor Day will be here before you know it, and with the arrival of fall, the weather situation is a good deal more unpredictable. Getting your roof prepared with a massive winter storm on the horizon can be difficult. Even worse is getting it repaired after the storm has passed and the damage has taken place.
The solution? Take advantage of those long, dry summer days to keep up with roof maintenance now. The costs you’ll pay now to make sure your roof system is clean and functioning are a fraction of what they would be after a major storm has ripped off shingles and water damage has rotted away the plywood underneath.
Remember that all roofs have a lifespan. Keeping up with your roof maintenance is a way to make that lifespan as long as possible, helping you get the most out of your investment. Not only are you protecting your investment, you’ll be ensuring that you aren’t faced with big, unpredictable repair expenses when you aren’t prepared for them.
If you think that climbing up on your roof and handling these tasks on your own is a good idea, think again! While there’s a lot of things we can do around our house to keep them looking and functioning in tip top shape, roofing is not one of those tasks.
Climbing up on roofs can be hazardous. Each year, dozens of people are injured or worse doing so. Professional workers are experienced in climbing onto roofs, and safely working up there. Many tasks seem simple, like sweeping or hosing off debris. The reality is that unless you’re a professional, it’s easy to risk major injury getting up on your roof. In addition, you may even be making yourself liable for more repairs down the road by handling roofing work yourself. While roofs are durable, it’s easier than you think to break shingles and tiles without knowing it, causing bigger problems down the road.
Horizon Roofing is your number one, trusted partner for safely and effectively keeping your roof maintained for every season. Our experienced roofers will thoroughly inspect your roofing system, and perform all the necessary repairs. We can help you prioritize which things need to be done now, and which ones can wait as well.
Remember that while your roof looks pretty simple from the outside, it’s really a system of interconnected parts that all have to be functioning for it to do its job, keeping you warm, safe and dry inside. Here’s some of the tasks that Horizon can take care of for you
When it rains, a properly functioning roof will channel water off the roofing surface and into drains and gutters. Leaves and other debris can clog this drainage system, causing water to back up onto the roof.
Pooling water can cause big problems all year long. Anywhere that moisture accumulates, you can have mold and lichen growth, wood rot, insects and more. After a while, this rot weakens the structure, allowing water into your home. Left unchecked major structural damage can occur.
Your roofing system not only functions with the various layers and drainage devices, it’s also built to accommodate important components of your HVAC and other systems. For instance, you’ll probably have air pipes and ventilation ports, kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms on your roof.
Everywhere a pipe comes through the roof, it needs to be carefully sealed, and protected by metal flashing. These spots can be vulnerable to rust, rot and water intrusion, so they need to be periodically inspected and repaired.
Leaves, branches, even trash can accumulate on your roof, especially after those Santa Ana winds blow through. When the rains come, these foreign objects can prevent proper drainage and lead to water pooling. They need to be removed.
Washing your roof surfaces is about much more than just making it look nice! What may look like dirt on the surface of your roof can really be mold, algae or lichens. These yucky patches aren’t just unsightly. Over time they can damage and reduce the effectiveness of shingles and tiles.
Water alone isn’t enough to get rid of these pesky growths. Instead, we use a specialized biodegradable but potent solution that will clean off mold and lichens, and stop them from coming back.
While all roofs are made to stand up to the elements, it’s possible that small cracks and breakage can occur from time to time. Broken shingles and tiles need to be repaired as soon as possible. Anytime the top layer of your roof is missing pieces, the damage from sun, wind and most of all rain will build quicker and quicker over time. Ask yourself: would I rather replace a single roofing tile, or a ten foot by ten foot section? The sooner you have your roof inspected, and these tiny problems fixed, the better chance you’ll save on big repairs down the road.
The air space under your roof is just as important as the watertight surface on the top. Proper attic ventilation can help reduce moisture and large temperature swings that put more strain on the roofing surface.
If you have attic fans and vents, we’ll make sure they are functioning at their peak level. If you don’t we can handle installing them in the most cost effective way possible.
Horizon roofing is proud to be Orange County’s top provider of roof maintenance services. Homeowners, property managers, and businesses count on us to keep their roofs clean and leak free, no matter the weather. Give us a call today at (714) 328-1967 to see how we can help keep your roof maintained today.
Sources:
https://securedroofingandrestoration.com/roof-maintenance/
Horizon Roofing – serving the Orange County, CA area – is your reliable local roofing contractors. We specialize in residential roofing and commercial roofing and have been in the industry for over a decade. We have excellent reviews and look forward to serving your need.
Call us on(714) 328-1967, email us at horizonroofingcompany@gmail.com, or contact us here today.