Summer brings sunshine, vacations, and, unfortunately, severe weather. While you’re planning barbecues and beach trips, your roof faces intense heat, sudden downpours, and powerful winds that can cause serious damage. A well-maintained roof protects your home, family, and belongings—but only if you take the right steps before storm season arrives.

AEM Home Services is part of the top 5% of roofing contractors nationwide as an Owens Corning Platinum Contractor. We proudly offer free inspections and estimates to meet the specific needs of homeowners in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. From identifying vulnerable spots to making critical repairs, let our team of experts explain how you can safeguard your home against destructive weather patterns this summer.

Understanding Summer Storm Risks

Summer storms pack a dangerous combination of threats that can devastate unprepared roofs. High winds tear off shingles and send debris flying into your home’s protective barrier. Heavy rainfall overwhelms gutters and finds its way through even small cracks, causing water damage that spreads quickly through walls and ceilings.

Hail poses another serious threat, particularly in regions prone to severe thunderstorms. Hail can crack shingles, dent metal roofing, and create entry points for water infiltration. Even seemingly minor hail damage can compound over time, leading to expensive repairs later.

Heat waves stress roofing materials in ways many homeowners don’t consider. Extreme temperatures cause expansion and contraction that loosens fasteners, cracks sealants, and make materials brittle. When storms hit heat-weakened roofs, the damage often exceeds what properly maintained roofing would sustain.

Conducting a Pre-Season Roof Inspection

While AEM happily provides free inspections, it’s a good idea to assess your roof yourself to get a better understanding of what you may need and what to look out for. Start your storm preparation with a thorough visual inspection from the ground. Use binoculars to examine your roof’s surface, looking for missing, cracked, or curling shingles.

Pay special attention to areas around chimneys, vents, and skylights where water commonly penetrates. Check for granule loss on asphalt shingles, which will appear as bare or darkened spots. Significant granule loss indicates aging shingles that may not withstand severe weather. Metal roofing should be inspected for rust, loose panels, or damaged fasteners.

Don’t forget to examine your roof’s edges and eaves. Look for loose or damaged fascia boards, which protect the roof’s underlying structure. Damaged fascia creates vulnerability points where wind can lift roofing materials.

If you’re comfortable using a ladder, inspect gutters and downspouts for damage, rust, or loose connections. While taking a look is important, avoid walking on your roof unless you have proper safety equipment and experience. Many inspection tasks can be completed safely from the ground; otherwise, you may want to leave it to the professionals.

Interior Inspection Signs

Head to your attic or highest living space to check for interior damage indicators. Look for water stains on ceilings and walls, which signal existing leaks that storms will worsen. Check for daylight coming through roof boards, gaps in flashing, or damaged insulation.

Musty odors often indicate moisture problems that haven’t yet created visible damage. Address these issues immediately, as summer’s humidity can accelerate mold growth and structural deterioration.

Essential Maintenance Tasks

  • Cleaning and Clearing Gutters: Clogged gutters rank among the top causes of storm damage. When gutters can’t channel water away from your roof, it backs up under shingles and into your home’s structure. Remove all leaves, twigs, and debris from gutters and downspouts. Check that gutters slope properly toward downspouts. Standing water indicates improper drainage that needs professional correction. Ensure downspouts direct water at least six feet away from your foundation. Consider installing gutter guards if your property has many trees. These systems reduce maintenance needs and improve water flow during heavy storms.
  • Trimming Overhanging Branches: Trees provide shade and beauty, but become dangerous projectiles during storms. Trim branches that hang over or near your roof, especially those larger than two inches in diameter. Dead or diseased branches pose the greatest risk and should be removed immediately. Maintain at least six feet of clearance between tree branches and your roof. This distance prevents branches from scraping against roofing materials during normal wind conditions and reduces the chance of contact during storms. Professional tree services should handle large branches or trees near power lines. The cost of professional trimming pales compared to roof repair and potential injury risks.
  • Securing Loose Materials: Walk around your property and secure or remove items that storms could turn into roof-damaging projectiles. Patio furniture, grills, and decorations should be stored in sheds or garages when severe weather approaches. Check that roof-mounted equipment like satellite dishes and antennas are properly secured. Loose mounting hardware should be tightened or replaced before storm season.

Addressing Common Problem Areas

  • Flashing Repairs: Flashing around chimneys, vents, and roof joints requires special attention. These metal strips direct water away from vulnerable areas, but they’re also prone to loosening and corrosion. Check that flashing lies flat against surfaces and shows no signs of rust or separation. Loose flashing can often be re-secured with roofing cement or appropriate fasteners. However, severely corroded or damaged flashing needs professional replacement to ensure proper water protection.
  • Shingle Replacement: Replace damaged shingles before storms arrive. Even a few missing shingles can allow water infiltration thatdamages underlying materials and creates larger problems. When replacing shingles, use materials that match yourexisting roof in both appearance and specifications. Mismatched shingles may not provide adequate protection andcan void warranty coverage.
  • Seal Application: Apply fresh sealant around roof penetrations like vents, chimneys, and skylights. Old sealant cracks and shrinks over time, creating entry points for water. Remove deteriorated sealant completely before applying new material. Use high-quality, weather-resistant sealants designed for your specific roofing materials. Cheap sealants often fail quickly and may cause more problems than they solve.

Insurance Considerations

Review your homeowner’s insurance policy to understand roof damage coverage. Some policies exclude certain types ofdamage or require specific maintenance standards. Document your preventive maintenance efforts to support potentialclaims.

Consider scheduling a professional inspection specifically for insurance purposes. AEM works with your insurance to streamline any roof damage-related claims.

Protecting Your Investment Year-Round

Summer storm preparation represents just one part of year-round roof maintenance. Regular attention to your roof’s condition prevents small problems from becoming major disasters.

Establish seasonal maintenance routines that include gutter cleaning, visual inspections, and minor repairs. This consistent care extends your roof’s lifespan and maintains your home’s protection against all weather conditions.

Your roof works hard to protect everything you value most. By taking these steps this summer, you’re investing in your family’s safety and your property’s long-term value.

At AEM, we understand that a quality roof is an investment. Since our first priority is ensuring complete customer satisfaction, there is no payment until our job is finished.

Contact AEM today for a free estimate!