Summer Roofing Tips

• During summer heat, be careful when walking on the roof system. On older built up and modified bitumen roofs, "blisters" can swell in the daytime heat and popping them will invariably cause an immediate leak.
• During the daytime heat, walking on Coal Tar bitumen roofing systems can cause damage due to the low softening point of the bitumen. Try to do inspections in the morning before 9:00 AM.
• Check all roof drains and clear Spring blossom debris.
• After heavy storms, check to see drains continued to flow properly.
• After intense wind storm with reported wind over 40 mph, think about the roof. Meteorologists report wind speeds recorded at local weather stations and airports which measure 3 second averages at 30' above ground. It is possible for localized intense wind or microbursts to occur and not be noticed. It is possible for ballast to shift or scour during high winds and even more seriously, small areas of roof to lift due to the wind uplift characteristics.
• Check gutters and downspouts for free flow.
• Look for signs of hail damage.
• On some buildings, inappropriate access occurs during the nice weather. Remove any lounge chairs or debris.
• On warehouse buildings, having overhead doors open during high winds or thunderstorms can actually increase the wind uplift on the roof. Close the doors when inclement weather is likely.
• As always, consider all safety and fall protection needs while accessing the roof areas of your building.

If you're not comfortable making these inspections, contact our service department at 630-892-0449 or service@olssonroofing.com.