Seasonal change brings new risks for your roof. Winter rain and snow can have a negative effect on the integrity of roofing structures which is why it is so important to ensure proper maintenance and care for your roof. Even summer heat and strong UV rays from the sun can dry and crack roof structures such as shingles and even roof linings. Indeed, regardless of the season, weather can damage your roof and ultimately lead to leaks, rot, and other structural problems. As such, weather proofing is an important prevention that helps you avoid repairs and expensive roof replacement. Your shingles, flashing, and chimney all need proper weather proofing so they are sound condition when the weather turns really bad.
First, you should schedule regular inspections with an experienced roofing professional to ensure your shingles and other roof structures are in good condition. Broken or missing shingles obviously need to be replaced; but even shingles that appear in good condition may not fully protect you from the effects of weather damage. Ideally, shingles should be adequately installed meaning they are glued to other materials or surrounding shingles. Your roofer will use roof cement to firmly attach loose shingles, while also repairing or replacing damaged or missing shingles.
In addition, the metal material used to cover gaps between roof materials and the roof line and roofing structures also needs inspection. This flashing, is ultimately the last line of defense against leaks and roof rot so it needs to be properly secured for your roof to function effectively. Roofers use roof cement or a caulking compound to seal loose flashing. Also, remember that inclement weather can cause flashing to bend, crack, or otherwise break so your roofer will need to ensure that all flashing is correctly installed. Unfortunately, repairing flashing and creating a waterproof seal can be quite challenging so it is always best to work with a roofing contractor. Luckily, flashing repair is typically quite inexpensive but can save you a considerable amount with respect to future maintenance and repair costs.
Finally, chimneys and other roof structures need to be checked as they are often the source of leaks and rot. Flashing is known to separate between roof structures and roofing materials, and these types of repairs can be especially difficult. Leaks and cracks in the flashing along the chimney line are common sources of water damage which leads to mould and mildew growth and ultimately rot. So while it is important to check the flashing at the roof line, it is clearly also important to thoroughly inspect and repair flashing around roof structures.
Regular roof maintenance ensures proper weather proofing of your roof and can save you thousands of dollars. While it may seem like an unnecessary expenditure, keeping your roof in optimal condition prevents more significant damage to underlying roof structures and extends the lifespan of your roof.