The ever-changing weather conditions of Arizona compromise your roof’s stability. Arizona’s weather is generally sweltering hot and can also get extremely cold. Additionally, the state experiences thunderstorms, torrential rains, and hailstorms throughout the year.
As your roof is your first line of defense against the extreme weather of Arizona and in keeping you and your family safe, being aware of how Arizona’s weather affects your roof will help you keep a check on repair and maintenance.
Extreme Heat
In Phoenix, the average temperature throughout the year is 75.1 degrees, and in Tucson, it is 70.9 degrees. This might sound surprising, but extreme heat significantly damages your roof. The sun’s UV rays dry out the shingles and remove their natural oils, making them curl up at the edges.
This affects the roof’s stability and integrity and results in poor ventilation.
Rain
Regardless of where you live in Arizona, you are going to experience rain, especially in Tucson, where the average annual precipitation is 12.17. Rain can damage your roof by affecting the structural integrity of the shingles and causing them to fall off. The missing shingles will expose your home, causing water to easily seep through and damage furniture.
Moreover, the standing water on your roof can cause mold and mildew. If not taken care of immediately by roofing professionals, re-roofing will become necessary.
Hurricanes
Although not frequent in Arizona, Hurricanes and tornadoes can cause severe damage to your roof. Even strong winds have the ability to affect your roof’s structural integrity by damaging and cracking the shingles. Hurricanes can also damage the gutter lines and tiles.
It’s important to do a thorough roof inspection by a professional after a hurricane or tornado to see if the shingles are intact.
Hailstorms
No matter what quality roofing material you use, hailstorms are extremely detrimental to your roof’s structure. Hail can cause shingles to crack, break, and fall off. All of these damages can weaken your overall roof’s structure. Thus, it’s important to schedule a roof inspection after a hailstorm.
Snow
Snow is also quite common in many cities of Arizona and averages 101.7 inches of snow per year. Despite painting very beautiful sceneries, snows are extremely harmful to your roofs. After a snowstorm, your roof becomes weak. Moreover, when the snow turns into ice and icicles, it can cause water damage and break and crack the shingles.
Whenever you face any extreme weather, always check for signs of leak, mildew, mold, standing water, missing shingles, and fallen branches on your roof, and try to takecare of the minor repairs yourself to save some bucks.
Now that you know how does Arizona’s weather affects your roof’s health, it’s important to not wait until the last minute to repair the damages. A cracked or fallen shingle might seem dangerous, but it can lead to more significant damages and require re-roofing over time. Thus, consult a professional roofing contractor after dealing with extreme weather conditions to keep up with repairs and maintenance.
