Summer Roofing Tips: The Top Seven Things Northwest Homeowners Should Check Before the Rain Returns

In the Pacific Northwest, summer is an ideal time to inspect your roof and make sure it is ready for the rainy season ahead. Our roofs have to contend with heavy rainfall, moss, algae, evergreen needles and overhanging conifers. Addressing small problems now can help prevent them from becoming major ones when the rains return.

The seven things Northwest homeowners should check this time of year include:

• Roof shingles or other roofing materials — Look for damage, curling, cracking or missing pieces.

• Roof valleys — Check for debris, moss and damaged or exposed flashing.

• Flashing and roof penetrations — Look around chimneys, skylights, vents and pipes, which can be sources of leaks.

• Moss and algae — Pay particular attention to shaded areas where moss is most likely to grow.

• Trees and branches — Look for overhanging limbs, as well as needles, cones and other debris.

• Gutters and downspouts — Check for blockages, leaks and drainage problems.

• The attic and ceilings — Look for water stains, damp insulation, mold or other signs of leaks.

If you’re handy, you can check some of these areas yourself, often from the ground with the help of binoculars. However, more complex problems—or anything that requires getting onto the roof—are best left to an experienced professional. Not all roof inspections are the same, so ask what the inspection includes before hiring someone. Local companies we’ve featured in Home & Garden Seattle include Valentine Roofing, a full-service residential roofing company whose work ranges from roofing repairs and replacements to complex and historic projects, including an award-winning geodesic roof replacement in Snohomish and a historic Victorian roof in Tacoma. Seattle Roofing offers a “Repair versus Replacement” assessment using advanced leak-detection and other technologies to help determine whether a repair could extend the life of an existing roof. 

Condo and townhome owners should check their governing documents to determine who is responsible for roof maintenance before arranging an inspection or repairs. Renters generally should not attempt roof inspections or repairs themselves, but should promptly report stains, dampness, leaks or other signs of potential problems to their landlord or property manager.

Roofs play an important role in protecting our homes, especially in the Pacific Northwest, but it is easy to overlook their care when everything appears to be working as it should. Taking the time to check your roof now can help prevent small problems from becoming big ones when our rainy season returns.