They say if you don’t like the weather in Oklahoma City, just wait… It will change in a few hours! During the winter months, it is not uncommon to have 80-degree weather during the day and near freezing at night. Or to experience all four seasons in just a few days! While the temperature changes make it hard to know what to wear, they are even harder on your home’s roof.
Keep reading to learn why getting a spring roof inspection is critical to keeping your home safe and preventing costly repairs.
How Temperature Changes Affect Your Roof
Locals will often say we don’t have a “real” winter. While it does get cold here in OKC, it usually doesn’t stay that way for long. Unfortunately, these large temperature swings can cause an enormous amount of stress on your roof.
Heat causes a normal amount of expansion in roofing components, especially in chimney flashing and rubber seals around plumbing vents. Cold temperatures cause these areas to contract. The constant expansion/contraction can cause roofing materials to wear out faster and cause roof leaks if not properly maintained and replaced.
This process is also known as “thermal cycling.” According to the NACHI, roofs exposed to extreme thermal cycling will be less stable and will deteriorate more quickly than those exposed to less cycling.
Sudden temperature changes can also make any pre-existing roof problems worse.
Things like lifted or missing shingles, old storm damage, and cracks in roof flashing are all made worse by fluctuating temps. The only problem is that they are almost impossible to see from the ground level of your home! Not being able to see existing roof damage is one of the reasons why getting a spring roof inspection is so important.
Why Spring Is The Best Time For A Roof Inspection
Your roof is a lot like your car – regular maintenance and checks are needed to keep it running great. However, your roof doesn’t have warning light indicators, and knowing if you have a problem is much more difficult. In fact, most homeowners don’t know they have an issue until leaks have already formed and ceiling stains are visible inside the home. Waiting that long can easily double or triple the cost of repairs.
Preventative roof maintenance is best done in the Spring after the threat of snow or ice has passed. A spring roof inspection will check all the areas that are most susceptible to damage caused by temperature fluctuations over winter and ensure your roof is watertight before the rainy season in Oklahoma City.
In most cases, the cost of a simple roof repair can be less than $200. On the other hand, fixing a roof leak can easily cost 5x that amount. Preventative roof maintenance does more than give you peace of mind – it can actually save you money!
What To Expect When Getting A Spring Roof Inspection
A spring roof inspection is like a typical roof inspection but with extra emphasis on checking areas most prone to temperature fluctuations and roof leaks. The two most common causes of roof leaks are damaged flashing and missing shingles.
Flashing is a protective (usually metal) barrier installed around areas where two sections of a roof meet or around skylights, chimneys, vents, and pipes. It is installed in a way to shed water and keep moisture out of cracks and crevices. While metal flashing is durable, it is prone to cracks and rust. Temperature swings in winter and spring can cause additional problems and lead to roof leaks.
Missing or lifting shingles is another cause of roof leaks. The material (also called underlayment) that lies below roof shingles is especially susceptible to UV rays. Over time, this material becomes brittle and will wear away, giving rainwater a direct path into your attic.
Pro Tip: the “cheapest” roof option isn’t always the best one. When it comes to your home, make sure to work with a local contractor and choose products that are designed to last in our climate. Otherwise, you’ll end up spending more in the long run on roof maintenance and repairs!
Rain Is Coming – Protect Your Home
Spring showers bring May flowers… and roof leaks if you don’t get a roof spring inspection!
Avoid costly problems like roof leaks and major repairs by getting a professional roof inspection this month from our team of local experts. We will inspect your roof and home for free and give you peace of mind all season long.
Why choose Triple Diamond Construction for a spring roof inspection? We’ve been helping OKC homeowners solve roof problems for over a decade. Not only do we offer the best materials and warranties, but we also offer great customer service you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s what you can expect:
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- Same-day roof inspections
- Team certified and trained in hail damage detection
- Photo-documented roof inspection report
- Highest-rated materials and warranties available
Ready to get started? Give us a call at 405-895-9972 or schedule a free roof inspection online!
Learn more about our roofing services in Moore, Yukon, Lawton, Norman, and Edmond, and make sure to read our Facebook reviews!
