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How to Care for Your Roof If You Live in a Dry Climate
Your roof is designed to protect you and your home from a wide variety of climate conditions. Despite its durability, there are steps you should take to help your roof last longer.
While each climate region has its own challenges, dry climates represent some of the most unique and unexpected challenges. So that your roof lasts as long as possible, here are some tips for how to care for your roof if you live in a drive climate.
Watch for Nail Pops
Nail pops are a condition in which the nails that are used to hold the shingles to the plywood work their way out of the plywood and protrude above the shingles. While this condition can happen anywhere, it’s especially common in dry climates.
Photo by Brandon Architects, Inc.
This is because, as wood dries out, it tends to shrink and become brittle. With less flexibility to hold the nails in place, they begin to work their way out. If you discover nail pops, you’ll have to re-seat the nails and then fill the holes in the shingles with roofing tar.
Wash Away Debris and Stains
In wet climates, the shingles on your roof are kept fairly clean by regular rain showers. In a dry climate, though, you don’t have this luxury. At the same time, debris from trees and animals, as well as stains from pollution, can collect on your roof.
Since you don’t have precipitation to remove these contaminants, you’ll need to do it manually with a pressure washer. Just be sure to maintain stable footing or have one of your local roofing contractors do the job for you.
Consider the Best Materials
If it’s time to replace your roof, it’s important to know that you have a large variety of options because you live in a dry climate. In addition to traditional shingles, you can also successfully use clay tiles, metal, and other materials that don’t work very well in wetter climates. By choosing your roofing material carefully, you will help to ensure your roof lasts longer and requires less maintenance than it would with a less robust material.
Photo by A-Design By Gustavo Arredondo, Inc.
Check for Changes After Storms
Even though you live in a dry climate, it doesn’t mean you never get rain. When you do receive rain in a dry climate, though, it’s important to check your roof for any changes that may have occurred as a result of the precipitation.
When roofs go for long periods without getting wet, the seals can tend to dry out and become cracked, making your roof vulnerable to water intrusion. Therefore, it’s crucial that you check your home inside and out to make sure that the rain didn’t have any unexpected effects on your dry-climate roof.
Since your dry-climate roof tends to have less to protect you from, it’s easy to take your roof for granted. As you can see, though, there is much to be done if you want to maintain the integrity and appearance of your roof. Follow these simple steps, however, and your roof will reward you with many years of reliable service.
