The word ‘summertime’ always reminds me of Janis Joplin’s song, followed closely by Ella Fitzgerald’s song of the same name. Both have this raw beauty with subtle hints that ‘too much of good thing’ isn’t always good. That’s summer, don’t pay attention to it and it will burn you, dry you out, and some days can simply take your breath away.
At A. Clark Roofing & Siding LP., we understand all of that. After all, our qualified and expert technicians spend their days contending with all the good and not so good that nature has to offer. As a trusted leader in roofing and siding, and in spite of the hot summer sun and unpredictable weather the staff will cater to every repair, quote, inspection and install with true dedication (along with 60 years of knowledge) no matter the size of the job.
Just as the sun can take its toll on people playing and working under it, it can also be hard on the roof of your family home or business. Your roof is your home’s first defense against harsh weather so you should know the summer risks your roof contends with including:
- Algae and Moss: like other plants, these grow the most in the summer, and over time the moisture from moss will damage and rot wood under the shingles of a roof. Algae can find its way moving in an upward direction on a roof. Over time you will start to notice shingles turning very dark brown to black. If you happen to own (or can borrow) a pair of binoculars, it’s a great way to inspect your roof shingles from a far. Let your neighbours know what you are doing (no… not bird watching). Most likely they will ask you to check their roof shingles as well.
- Solar UV Rays: the sun can dry out and crack shingles over the lifespan of a roof, leaving some sections with little to no protection. Typically associated with an aging roof, it can also be a sign that your roof needs replacing soon.
Wind and Rain: Sherwood Park, St. Albert, and Edmonton are increasingly becoming familiar with unpredictable weather. On June 20, 2017, the City of Edmonton was under a severe thunderstorm warning just after 6 p.m. you can read about the events here where the utilities went down, and trees were knocked down in Central Alberta. We often hear the weather reports about “Severe thunderstorms” coming to Edmonton and Calgary. The most obvious threat is heavy rain but can also include hail and high winds that love to pound and try to lift shingles on our roof. The Wind likes to lift shingles, and you may notice some minor damage. Over time this can turn into a much bigger problem if the rain continues and slowly leaks in through the wood and eventually the ceiling. When you realize you’ve been through a very windy day or overnight storm, its always a good idea to look around your property and if you notice shingles (or pieces of shingles), it may be time to call A. Clark Roofing and Siding for an inspection.
- Ventilation: sometimes the problem can originate from within your home. As hot air rises and your attic doesn’t have a proper ventilation system, the hot air will be trapped in the attic. This creates excess moisture issues, and that is one of the things that quickly shortens the lifespan of your roof.
With 60 years in the residential and commercial roofing and siding business, we’ve repaired many roofs damaged by weather. If you concerned that your roof has received some summer weather damage, contact A. Clark Roofing & Siding LP at 780-465-7571 today in Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park for a free quote.
