4 Summer Roofing Tips to Keep Your Home Cool

Ahh, summer:

Barbecues and vacations come to mind but when it comes to the California sun, It’s time to crank up the AC and hope it doesn’t cost a fortune to cool your home!

As the heat continues to rise, there are a few things we can to do to prepare our homes for the season, specifically your attic and roof. These tips will help you keep your home cool and your power bill manageable.

When was the last time you visited your attic? Maybe the last time was when you were looking for something one of the kids may have put in a box last time you moved? This often-overlooked portion of your home plays a pivotal role in keeping your home cool. Did you know that your attic can reach temperatures in excess of 140 degrees? Yes! This can rob you of all the cool air that is being pumped into your house if it is not properly insulated and maintained. If moisture is also present, it is a perfect opportunity for mold. This can ruin your roof and lead to a costly replacement. It’s a must to have your homes attic and roof inspected at least once a year.

1. Check your exhaust and bathroom fans: If these are installed incorrectly they will just blow all of the moisture from your bathrooms or stove into the attic and create a massive mold or rot issue. These could also be pulling cool air from your living areas and pushing it into the attic where you do not necessarily want it to be. While properly venting your attic will help lower the temperature of your entire home.
2. Ensure that your attic is free from small signs of damage: These small spots can turn into large ones if not properly attended to. These infiltrations may not seem like a big deal but in the summer with heat and possible moisture, they can cause the underlayment to warp which will compromise the integrity of the roof.
3. Get a cool, lighter-colored roof: Have your old black tar shingles replaced with either a lighter colored shingle or tile. This switch to a lighter colored or tile roof means that your home's roof will reflect more heat and absorb less into your home.
4. Insulation: Having additional insulation installed in your attic will help contain the heat in the attic rather than allowing it to radiate into your home. An extra layer of insulation board between the attic joists and the main attic cavity will keep the home cooler overall.

Homeowners are strongly encouraged to have their roof and attic professionally examined at least once per year to ensure that their roof does not become a liability.