Idaho summers can get very hot. Whether you’re trying to beat the heat in the comfort of your air-conditioned home or outside at the pool, your roof is stuck taking the brunt of the heat. Though Idaho summers tend to be short, they can do a number on your roof. It’s important to know what summer roof damage looks like and how you can protect the top line of your home.

Heat Damage to Roofing Materials

During the summer months, your roof takes on the burden of constant sun exposure. The extended heat and the UV rays can cause your roof to reach temperatures of 150 degrees or more, causing severe summer roof damage.

Asphalt shingles, the most common in residential homes, contain oils that keep them protect them and keep them flexible. Over time, the heat dries out the oils, making the shingles crack, curl, warp, and become brittle, making your home more susceptible to leaks.  Constant heat exposure also causes the color of your roof to change and ruin its structure over time, ageing it faster than one in a milder climate. 

Once your roof starts to deteriorate, it won’t be able to protect your home. Even small issues like small cracks or curling edges can quickly turn into bigger issues, like leaks, mold, mildew growth, and higher energy bills.

Though there’s really nothing a homeowner can do to stop the sun from beating down on their roof, you can be proactive. To ensure the state of your roof, schedule regular inspections to catch summer roof damage early, look for visible damage, keep your roof free of debris, and potentially consider reflective or higher-quality materials when you’ll need a roof replacement.

Expansion and Contraction

As temperatures are blazing during the day and dropping at night, your roof is constantly expanding and contracting. Though this may seem very minor, it can put serious stress on your roof over time. 

When your roof is constantly exposed to direct sunlight, the shingles begin to expand. As the sun goes down, the shingles cool down, causing the shingles to shrink back down. Since this cycle repeats almost daily, it gradually weakens the structural integrity of your roof.

Over time, the expansion and contraction of the shingles can lead to warped shingles, loosened nails, fasteners, separated seams, and an increased risk of leaks. Even if your roof looks fine from the ground, there may be hidden issues as a result.

Luckily, there are ways you can minimize the impact that expansion and contraction can cause. You can do that by scheduling regular roof inspections, ensuring your roof is properly installed, since poorly installed roofs are more prone tos hifting, and also ensuring that you invest in high-quality roofing materials that are designed to handle temperature fluctuations.

Poor Roof Ventilation

Having proper ventilation in your roof is a critical component in regulating temperature and moisture levels in your attic. During the summer, poor ventilation can trap the extreme heat inside your home. This will cause problems not only for your roof but for your entire house as well.

Without the proper roof ventilation to protect your home, airflow becomes restricted in the attic. Without proper airflow, heat becomes trapped beneath your roof, air can’t circulate properly, and the temperatures in your attic will continue to rise throughout the day.

Those ventilation issues won’t just stop at your roof. Your air conditioning system will have to work harder to keep your home cool, and the excess heat from your attic will seep into the living space on the upper floors of your home.

Ventilation issues can be hard to spot right away. However, they aren’t impossible to catch. If the upper floors of your home are unusually hot, your energy bill is higher, or you’re noticing musty odors or signs of moisture buildup, you may have poor roof ventilation.

In order to improve your roof ventilation, there are a few things you can do. First, you can install or upgrade ridge vents and soffit vents to balance the airflow. Secondly, ensure insulation isn’t blocking air pathways, and lastly, schedule a professional inspection to evaluate the ventilation.

Storms and Debris

Though summer brings the heat, it also brings storms with strong winds and flying debris. Combining a roof already weakened by the heat and stormy conditions is a recipe for summer roof damage. Unlike the gradual summer roof damage the sun can cause, sudden seasonal storms can put intense stress on your roof. 

High stormy winds can lift or tear off shingles already loosened from the heat; rain can exploit weak spots, leading to leaks; in some cases, hail can bruise or crack shingles that significantly shorten their lifespan.

Even debris from summer storms can cause summer roof damage. Tree branches can scrape and puncture the roof, leaves can trap heat and moisture, and clogged gutters can prevent proper drainage, leading to water backup.

This summer roof damage becomes worse because roofing materials may already be weakened from prolonged heat exposure. Though your roof is meant to withstand a lot, sudden storms hit harder when your roof isn’t in peak condition.

Protect your roof from sudden summer storms by trimming overhanging branches, cleaning gutters regularly, and scheduling a professional inspection, especially after severe weather.

Why Choose Us?

At Premier Roofing and Restoration, we understand that the summer heat beating down on your roof is inevitable. You can trust Premier Roofing and Restoration to help repair your sun-damaged roof or install a new roof with top materials that will withstand the summer heat. Contact us today for a free estimate.

Winter is finally over in Southeastern Idaho! However, the worst isn’t over yet. Heavy snow, ice, and the constant freezing and thawing of water that occurred over the winter are brutal on the roof of your home. With the snow finally melting and hopefully being gone for the summer months, it’s time to check up on your roof. So if you’re unsure of what to look for and how to fix it, here are four signs that your roof is damaged and might need some help after a long winter.

1. Granule Loss in Gutters

Most homes have asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are a great option because of their durability and versatility. However, asphalt shingles tend to shed granules when damaged. Especially after a long winter, you’ll notice some warning signs of damage, and that they may need to be replaced. 

If you’re up cleaning your gutters this spring and you notice some granules at the bottom of your gutter, don’t worry. That is sometimes just a sign of regular wear and tear. However, if the shingle granules are more than half an inch thick, that’s more than just regular wear and tear. This is a sign that your roof is damaged from the elements and may need to be replaced. Hire a professional to inspect your home and determine what needs to be fixed.

An excess of shingle granules in gutters can also cause them to overflow and be damaged. Make sure to clean the sediment out right away so you can prevent damage to other parts of your home’s exterior.

2. Interior Ceiling Stains

A majority of the signs of roof damage aren’t always easy to see. Many require you to get on a ladder to get a close look to assess the damage. However, there is one way you can tell if there is damage to your roof from the inside of your home.

As the snow begins to melt, take a look up at the ceiling of your home. If your roof is, in fact, damaged from the elements, water will begin to leak into your home. After some time, you’ll find gray, brown, or yellow water stains on your ceiling or even your walls. Bubbling, blistering, or peeling paint on your ceilings and walls is also an indication that your roof is damaged and needs an inspection.

3. Curled, Missing, or Cracked Shingles

Winter weather is ruthless to the health of your roof’s shingles. Throughout the winter, the shingles are contracting as they freeze in the cold and expanding as the snow and ice thaws when it gets warmer. The snow and ice also add weight and pressure to the shingles, causing them to curl, crack, and fall off. Though these damages tend to happen over time, they can go on to cause other problems to the exterior and even the interior of your home.

You can help yourself detect these problems earlier by checking to see if the edges of shingles are slightly lifting, shingles appear wavy or uneven, or there are visible cracks in the shingles. If you go outside this summer and see missing shingles or that the shingles are curled up, your roof needs an inspection and possible replacement.

4. Your Energy Bill Has Been Higher Than Usual

Shockingly, a higher-than-usual energy bill can be a sign that your rooftop is damaged. Roof damage allows air to escape from your roof. This causes your HVAC system to work harder to maintain temperatures in your home. Missing or cracked shingles, damaged seals, and saturated insulation allow hot air into your home in the summer and let the warm air escape in the winter.

All of these things will contribute to your energy bill being higher. Save yourself some money and get a professional to come inspect for damage. Getting your roof fixed will allow your home to heat and cool normally, lowering what you’re paying on your energy bill.

Why Choose Us?

After a long Idaho winter, you shouldn’t have to stress about who is going to fix the damage to your roof. Premier Roofing & Restorations is here to provide you with affordable, high-quality solutions to your roof damage. We will give you the best results every single time, which will limit the need for repairs in the future. Contact us today for a free estimate or to schedule your roof repair.