Table of Contents
Tucson Summer is Hot & Getting Hotter
We all know how scorching hot it gets in the summer here in Tucson and this summer is no exception. You may have experienced how fast patio furniture, garden hoses, or shade cloths deteriorate in Tucson’s heat. If they are not made of incredibly durable materials, they don’t last very long. Now consider your roof’s damage from the scorching sun beating down on it year in and year out!
Understanding how Tucson’s’ brutal heat affects the roof allows you to prepare in advance and prevent problems.
How Hot Does a Roof Get in the Summer?
Would you be surprised to learn that it can be up to 50 degrees hotter on your roof than the outside temperature? That means on 100 to 120-degree days during the summer, your roof can reach temperatures of 150 degrees or more. When temperatures get this high, it leads to the breakdown of the roofing materials. Asphalt shingles can loosen, tiles can crack, and flat roofs can bubble and blister.
Not only do we have scorching high heat, but Tucson’s roofs are also subject to high heat during the day and cold temperatures at night. The heat causes the roof to expand and the cold temperatures cause roofing materials to contract. The expansion-contraction cycle stresses the roof and leads to splits or cracks in shingles, tiles, underlayment, or even the framing. Older roofs are more susceptible to damage because the materials are less flexible than when the roof was new.
Prevention is not possible, so regular roof maintenance is necessary to help the roof stay in good condition. In Tucson, roofs should be checked frequently to identify roof damage or signs of aging.
A professional roof inspection plays an important role in keeping your roof in good condition. Your roof will sustain wear and tear with age and regular inspections can help you keep tabs on your roof’s condition and give you a good idea of how long your roof will last. Call today (520) 297-4736
Drier, hotter weather predicted for Tucson's monsoon season.
Another Non-Soon?
Our monsoon season started June 15th. This year the National Weather Service is predicting that Arizona is going to have less rain and higher temperatures. Looks like Tucson will face a hot and dry summer.
Summer months are the ideal time to have your roof inspected. Commercial Cleaning and Restoration, a professional roofing contractor, will check for signs of previous storm damage and perform a thorough roof inspection to check for other issues that may require maintenance or repair and need to be repaired before the next storm.
The Hazards of an Unchecked Roofs
Summer is a tough time for your roof, besides sun heat damage here are two common problems you should watch out for during the summer:
Condensation Line Backups from AC Systems
This is the number one cause of water damage to your home. This type of leak is slow at first and goes undetected. Although normally it will not flood the whole house, most of the affected area will need to be removed due to water contamination.
In Tucson, we usually see clogged AC drain lines during or right after the monsoon season because there’s a lot of dust and debris being blown around, which can easily get into the drain line and cause a clog.
The best way to protect your condensation drain, your AC unit, and your home is to keep your unit maintained and functioning properly. The potential for any issues or damage is dramatically reduced with regular maintenance and cleaning. A clogged condensation drain can cost you big to repair water damage to your home– and it’s totally avoidable
Blockage in tubes and pipes
Another issue that you may encounter related to your roof during summertime is the blockage of pipes and tubes. When the weather becomes too hot, leaves fall off the tree. They sometimes end up on your roof and the gutters. If you fail to clean the debris in the drainage, it may cause blockages leading to breakage of pipes and tubes. Ensure that nothing is blocking the passageway of water to avoid bigger problems such as this.
Working Drain
Does homeowners insurance cover your roof's leaks?
Homeowners’ insurance may cover a roof leak if it is caused by a covered peril. Suppose your roof is damaged by wind or rainstorm, which results in a leak. In those cases, your homeowner’s policy may help pay to repair the roof leak (unless your policy has a wind or storm exclusion).
However, homeowners insurance generally does not cover damage resulting from lack of maintenance, heat damage, or wear and tear. The challenge with roof damage is that sometimes it’s difficult to tell whether the roof leak was caused by the monsoon or normal wear and tear. This can be frustrating for the homeowner; if the roof leaks during a rainstorm, it may seem that the storm is the cause of the leak, but if the leak came through existing cracks in a parapet, it may not be. That’s one reason why you may want to conduct regular roof inspections.
If you’re planning to buy a new home, you may want to learn about the roof’s age and condition, too.
Conclusion: Heat damage and roof leaks
Heat worsens many roof condition issues. It can be difficult to determine the level of damage yourself. Getting up on your roof can be dangerous, especially if it’s slippery from rain. Call Commercial Cleaning & Restoration to perform a roof inspection for you. We will be able to assess whether your roof incurred significant enough damage to require repair.
Water Damage Restoration
Water Cleanup • Emergency Tarping
At Commercial Cleaning & Restoration, we want the best for you and your home and we will work to prove it to you.
We also clean carpets, area rugs, and upholstery.
CALL US TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT
