Make Way for Monsoon Season

Last year’s Monsoon season in the desert southwest broke several records. Phoenix had unprecedented amounts of rain all over the entire Valley, and experienced the equivalent of a “snow day” when 4 inches of rain fell in a very short time and pretty much flooded all the road systems, including the highways. Of course, along with torrential rain came lightning, hail, high winds, dust storms and falling debris, interspersed with days of blistering heat (we’ve already hit 115 this year... ) — all of which is very hard on roofing materials. Trends indicate we are in for yet another very active season, which seems to be getting underway a bit early this year.

No matter what type of roofing materials your have (tile, shingle, shake, foam, BUR, metal, etc.), or whatever type of property (commercial or residential), you should have your roof inspected before the storms.

Before the First Storm

Call a professional roofer to check your roof before the first big wind and rain. The roofing company should check for:

• Any damage that should be repaired (blisters, peeling, cracks, missing materials, etc.). Fixing small problems now can usually prevent large problems in the future.
• Gutters and downspouts to make sure they aren’t filled with debris.
• Perforations in the roof for HVAC, vents, skylights and fans can also cause problems so the roofer should check the seals on all of these.
• Attic insulation doesn’t cover vents and eaves so your roof can breathe.
• Ridge vents and eaves should be free of plants and debris and make sure bird and rodent screens are in place to prevent unwanted guests.

Phoenix already had some unprecedented rain this month (June 2015) and the storms brought lightning all over the Valley. The news was buzzing with stories of house fires started by lightning. And did you know that Arizona experiences the second highest instance of lightning strikes of all the states in the U.S., second only to Florida. If your home or business doesn’t have a lightning rod, now might be the time to have a roofer install one — pardon the pun, but before lightning strikes!

Finally, you should trim bushes and trees away from the roof of your property and remove dead limbs from trees to avoid damage to your roofing materials.

Many roofers offer no cost, no obligation inspections, and will provide photo evidence of any problems. A professional, certified roofer will happily take the time to explain any problems discovered and suggest options and solutions. Often, the work may be as simple as a quick cleaning and clearing of drainage systems, or even something as simple as adding a lightning rod and grounding cable. In many cases, easy and inexpensive repairs will prevent future leaks, flooding and roof collapse.

After the Storm

Get a pair of binoculars and examine your roof for damage after a big storm. Even walking on the roof can cause additional damage, so it is better to look for trouble from the ground. If you believe your roof has taken damage, call your roofer immediately and have them look for:

• Blisters, splits or cracks
• Damage, puncture or tears
• Accumulated debris
• Discoloration
• Missing materials and exposed underlayment
• Erosion of gravel, granules or foam
• Leaks
• Exposed nails or fasteners
• Improperly installed or damaged flashing or seams
• Ponding water or debris