Houston has a reputation for being incredibly hot during the summer months. If you are living in Houston, this fact will not be new to you. Summers are brutal in Texas; they can go on for months. When you escape the heat by retreating inside, however, your roof is outside in extreme heat.
The biggest mistake homeowners make is not thinking about their roofs until they have a problem. All roofs have a maximum limit regarding heat exposure, the amount of UV rays they are subjected to, and how often they are not well-maintained. You will likely end up with cracked or missing shingles & potentially face water damage inside your home and a bill to fix them that can ruin your entire summer budget.
The good news is that protecting your roof is easy! You also do not have to spend a fortune on those protections. A very small amount of time and money spent doing three simple and inexpensive things at the right time can offer the biggest impact on you.
Let me share with you everything you need to know.
What Summer Heat Actually Does to Your Roof
Roofs look tough. However, heat causes many issues with roofs, many of which are not visible.
UV rays break down shingles slowly
One-way roofs become damaged by heat is through the effects of UV radiation. Each day, your roof is subjected to continual exposure to UV rays from sunlight. Asphalt shingles are subject to a substantial amount of damage caused by UV rays due to the fact that they contain oils that keep them flexible. Oil evaporates slowly, which results in the oil becoming dry and causing the shingles to become brittle and crack as they dry out. As the shingles become brittle and crack, the granules on the roofs dislodge from the shingles and are lost completely, not only resulting in a reduction in the number of granules but also resulting in a reduced ability of the shingles to protect the roof that is exposed to the elements. Dark colored roofs will absorb anywhere from 85% to 95% of the solar energy directed at them. Hence, damage due to UV radiation occurs more quickly than most people expect about the effects of UV radiation on their roofs.
Heat makes materials expand and contract
Your roof shingles, nails, and flashing sealants will expand with the heat of the sun during the day and then contract in the cold at night. This process occurs on a daily basis all summer, and can lead to warping, separating, or cracking of the shingles, the nails that anchor them to the roof, and the seals around the roof flashing. It is one of the main causes of roof failure. Roofers call this “thermal shock”.
Warning Signs Your Roof Is Already in Trouble
So, before we delve into the solutions, I’d like you to take a quick walkthrough of your home. You don’t have to climb up there. During a home inspection, we take a picture of the top of each major appliance to identify any potential collection points.
But there’s more to a roof’s health than just the asphalt shingles. Other factors could be indicating major issues as well. For example, if you notice granules in your gutters, they may look like coarse, dark sand, but they are still a serious problem.
You should notice a lot of these granules during the first 5 to 10 years of the roof’s life.
- Shingles that look faded, discolored, or cracked
- Any sections where the roof surface looks uneven or warped
- Sealant cracking around your chimney, vents, or skylights
- Hot spots on your ceiling, especially upstairs
- The shingles are curled
- Shingles are missing
- There are marks or black spots across the roof
- The roof has leaks
- Energy bills are higher than usual
- Missing or broken fascia boards
- Your attic is too hot
- The roof looks old
- The roof is uneven
You may not see all these signs, but any one of them makes your roof need extra protection.
8 Ways to Protect Your Roof From Summer Heat:
1. Get a Roof Inspection Before Summer Hits
This is the simplest thing you can do. Have a professional roofer inspect your roof in the spring, before the heat really starts.
And you want a professional, because they’re going to look at all the components of your roof, including shingles, flashing, underlayment, and gutters. They’ll look at the ventilation and more.
The U.S. Dept of Energy also says you should regularly maintain your roof’s ventilation and insulation to prevent heat loss and structural damage. Having a spring and fall inspection is the best way to do that.
2. Sort Out Your Attic Ventilation
This may be one of, if not, the most important things on the list. The biggest culprit of heat damage for roofs is poor attic ventilation and big surprise that a lot of people don’t even know they have this problem.
The way it works is that cool air enters through the soffit vents at the bottom of the roof line. The cool air rises, warms up and exits out the ridge vents at the top of the roof. This allows the attic to remain cool and gives your roofing a break.
If you have insulation, debris or only have one type of vent in your attic then you have a big problem as you have little if any airflow. Some signs that you may be having this problem:
- Your attic feels extremely hot even on cooler days • Shingles visible from street look old
- You see mold or moisture in the attic
- The roof is over 15 years old, obviously much older if you live in an older home
If you ever have ice dams form on the edge of your roof (this type forms from bad summer ventilation), a roofing contractor (or home inspector) can check your current venting and let you know if you need an attic fan or ridge vent or soffit vents. This fix is relatively inexpensive but can really make a difference.
3. Upgrade Your Attic Insulation
Insulation is important in winter, but it’s just as important in summer. The less heat making its way to the roof of your home (when you’re cooling your home), the less heat coming into your home from the roof (when you’re heating your home).
The absolute best way to protect your roof decking is to insulate underneath your roof decking. This is a job for spray foam (er, if you can find a reliable way to install it). It will fill all the gaps and prevent heat transfer, which is good! However, it’s also kind of pricey.
Other options worth considering:
A foam roof is a single-application roof supplemented by a layer of foam over the deck of the roof.
If your attic already has insulation, check whether it has compressed or settled over the years. Old insulation loses effectiveness. Adding a fresh layer on top can make a noticeable difference in both comfort and roof protection.
4. Install a Radiant Barrier
Radiant barriers are special aluminum foil, paper, or polyethylene that is installed on the underside of your roof deck or on your rafters in your attic.
Radiant barriers reflect the radiant heat before it enters your attic. The U.S. Department of State states that radiant barriers can save you 5% to 10% on cooling costs in hot climates and can reduce your attic temperatures by 30 degrees or more in Houston.
5. Choose Reflective Roofing Materials
Do you need a new roof soon, or are you building a new home? Are you choosing a roofing material? Asphalt shingles are, by far, the most popular type of roof, but standard asphalt is dark and heat-retaining. That isn’t a problem in the winter when you want your home to stay warm, but when you need to beat the heat, use cool roof shingles or other reflective materials on your roof.
They reflect up to 90% of the sun’s rays, cooling the surface of your roofing by as much as 50°F and making a big difference in your home’s cooling costs.
Here are the main options:
Cool roof shingles made by companies such as CertainTeed and Owens Corning have tiny over-sized granules on them that reflect infrared rays. They look like normal shingles, but their heat characteristics are unique.
Metal roofing naturally reflects solar radiation. Put a reflective coating on top of it and it does even better. Metal roofing is durable and fire-resistant too, making it a great long-term investment for hot climates.
Going from a dark colored shingle to a lighter shade of gray can help reduce your heat gain and save you money by several hundred dollars over the summer. Another option is a new clay or concrete tile roof. Air flows beneath these tiles, so they don’t trap heat against the roof deck.
6. Apply a Reflective Coating
If your roof is structurally fine, but extremely hot during the summer, you should definitely think about getting a roof coating. This is essentially a reflective layer applied to your roof. Elastomeric and acrylic coatings, white roof coatings are reflective as opposed to absorbent with respect to UV rays. White roofing systems can keep the temperature of your roof up to 50°F lower than your uncoated surfaces.
They also help to slow down UV degradation, which means your roof will have a much longer life. However, the coating will usually wear off every five years or so. The surface should be cleaned and dried completely before applying coatings. Going DIY isn’t really that effective. You should look for a professional instead.
7. Keep Your Gutters Clean
You might wonder what gutters have to do with summer heat. A lot, actually.
When gutters are clogged with leaves and stuff water can’t drain properly. In Houston summer means heavy storms after heat waves. When that rain hits and your gutters are blocked, water backs up pools on your roof. Seeps under your shingles. Rot and leaks happen fast.
Gutters full of debris also trap moisture. Add weight that stresses your roof and fascia boards.
Clean your gutters twice a year in spring and fall. After a storm do a quick check. Look for:
- Gutters that are sagging or pulling away from the house
- Downspouts that are disconnected
- Standing water that is not moving
- Cracks or rust in metal gutters
It takes less than an hour. Can save you from a big repair bill.
8. Trim Your Trees the Smart Way
Trees are good for your roof in summer. The shade from trees can lower your roof temperature during the part of the day. That’s worth having.
The problem is when branches get close. Overhanging limbs rub against your shingles every time it winds. They drop leaves and debris that clog your gutters and trap moisture. If a branch falls in a storm, it can cause serious damage fast.
Keep all branches at least 6 feet away, from your roof. That gives you shade without the risk. If you have a tree where a falling branch would be a major problem, it is worth calling a tree expert to assess it before storm season.
Does Roof Color Really Matter That Much?
Yes, it really does make a difference. Dark asphalt shingles soak up a lot of the sun’s energy 85% to 95%. On the hand light-colored roofing or special coatings absorb a lot less usually under 50%.
Solar Panels Give Your Roof Some Shade Too
When you are thinking about your roof and the heat it gets there is something you should know. Solar panels are better for making electricity. The parts of your roof where the solar Pannels’re they are, in the shade all day. This shade helps keep the roof underneath cooler.
If you are thinking about getting panels you get a nice extra benefit. The solar panels help keep your roof from getting too hot. Just remember to make sure the people who put in the panels do a good job selling everything, so you do not get leaks on your roof instead of a cooler roof.
When You Should Call a Professional
Cleaning your gutters and trimming trees are simple things you can do yourself. Walking on your roof to fix things when you do not have any experience is not a good idea.
You should call a roofing contractor if you notice some things that are not right such as:
- Missing or cracked shingles
- Water stains on your ceiling especially near the ceiling
- Your roof is sagging in some places
- The flashing around your chimneys, vents or skylights are cracked or lifting up
- Your roof got damaged in a storm
A professional roofer can see problems up close that you cannot see when you are standing on the ground. In a place like Houston, where it’s hot and there are a lot of storms, it is a good idea to find a contractor, you trust before something bad happens to your roof. This way when something does go wrong it will be less stressful for you. Having a roofing contractor in Houston can make a big difference.
Your Summer Roof Checklist
- It is that time of the year again. Run through this list every spring before the temperature gets hot. Here are the things you need to do:
- Book a professional to come and inspect your house
- Check the ventilation in your attic. Add more vents if the air is not moving well
- Go up to your attic and check the insulation. If it has gotten flat, you need to add some more
- Stand on the ground. Look up at your roof. Check for shingles that are curling up or cracking
- Clean out your gutters. Make sure the water can flow down the downspouts
- Cut back any tree branches that’re too close to your roof. They should be least 6 feet away
- Check the sealant around your chimneys and vents and skylights. Make sure it is still good
- If your roof gets hot in the summer, you might want to think about putting a coating on it
- Fix any problems with your roof before the summer storms come. This way you can avoid problems with your roof.
Conclusion
Your roof gets a lot of damage in the summer. This is because of the sun’s rays, heat and big temperature changes. You can prevent most of this damage if you take care of it.
Start with ventilation and insulation. They help the most. If your attic gets too hot add a barrier. When it’s time to replace your roof choose materials that reflect the sun’s rays. Also get your roof inspected every spring before it gets hot.
A maintained roof in a hot place can last 20 to 30 years. A roof that is not taken care of can fail in just 10 to 15 years. The difference is usually because of a simple habit that you do regularly.
For helpful tips, on taking care of your roof check out the Houston Roofing Solution
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot can my roof really get when it is summer?
My roof surfaces can get hot, like up to 150°F to 170°F when the temperature outside is only around 95°F. The dark colored roof shingles are the ones that get the hottest because they absorb the heat from the sun.
How do I know if my attic ventilation is bad?
If your attic feels hot like it is an oven. If you notice that your energy bills are higher than they usually are or if you see mold growing up in your attic, then the ventilation in your attic is probably the problem.
What is the best roofing material for hot climates?
Metal roofing and cool roof shingles are good at dealing with heat. If you do not want to replace your roof yet you can use a reflective elastomeric coating. This is the way to upgrade your roof. Metal roofing and cool roof shingles will still work well. Reflective elastomeric coating is a good option if you are on a budget.
Do reflective coatings actually work?
These things can really make a difference. They can lower the temperature of the roof surface by much as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a deal because it can also slow down the damage that ultraviolet light does to the roof over time. The cost is one dollar and fifty cents to four dollars, for each square foot of the roof that they cover.
Can I install a radiant barrier myself?
You can try buying the materials and doing it yourself. If you install it wrong, you might have problems with moisture.
It is worth getting a professional to install it for you.
How do trees help my roof in summer?
The shade from trees is good for lowering the temperature of your roof surface. You should just keep the branches from the trees 6 feet away, from your house to avoid them scraping against them and to prevent debris from building up on the roof surface from the trees.
What should I do right after a summer heat wave?
Look at your roof from the ground to see if any shingles are curled up or missing. Also check your gutters to see if a lot of granules are coming off the roof. Then go up to your attic. Look for any water spots or moisture. If there was a storm, with really hot weather you should have a professional roofer come and inspect your roof.