Summer in the Midwest means longer days, backyard barbecues, and, unfortunately, some serious storms. Wind, hail, and heavy rain are a regular part of life in the Chicago area, and your roof takes the brunt of all of it.
At Clem Davis Company, we’ve been helping homeowners in Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Naperville, Wheaton, and throughout Chicago’s western suburbs protect their homes since 1965. We’ve seen firsthand what a single storm can do to a roof that wasn’t quite ready for it. The good news is that most storm damage is preventable when you catch the warning signs early.
Here are five things to look for before summer storm season gets underway.
1. Missing, Curling, or Damaged Shingles
Start by taking a good look at your roof from the ground. Missing shingles leave your roof deck exposed to rain and wind. Shingles that are curling at the edges, cracking, or losing their granules (that sandpaper-like coating) are telling you they’re wearing out. Either way, these are spots where water can get in quickly during a heavy storm.
2. Soft Spots or Sagging Areas
If parts of your roof look uneven or feel soft underfoot, that’s usually a sign that moisture has already worked its way into the decking or underlayment beneath the shingles. Rot and water damage weaken the structure of your roof over time, and what starts as a soft spot can become a much bigger problem after a strong storm rolls through.
3. Loose or Damaged Flashing
Flashing is the metal material installed around your chimney, skylights, vents, and roof valleys. It’s designed to direct water away from the seams and edges where leaks are most likely to start. When flashing pulls away from the surface, rusts, or bends out of place, it creates an easy entry point for water. This is one of the most common causes of leaks we see in homes across the western suburbs.
4. Granules Collecting in Your Gutters
Take a look inside your gutters. If you’re noticing a gritty, sand-like buildup near your downspouts, those are granules shedding from your asphalt shingles. Some granule loss is normal as a roof ages, but heavy accumulation means your shingles are breaking down and losing the protection they were designed to provide.
If your roof is getting up there in age, it may be worth considering an upgrade to hail-resistant shingles, which are engineered to hold up against the kind of impacts that accelerate granule loss in the first place. Either way, significant granule buildup is a reliable sign that a roof assessment is overdue.
5. Moss, Algae, or Dark Streaking
Dark streaks or patches of moss and algae on your roof might look like a cosmetic issue, but they often point to trapped moisture. Over time, that moisture works its way into your roofing materials, leading to deterioration and, eventually, leaks. Roofs in shaded areas around Glen Ellyn, Western Springs, and other well-treed neighborhoods in the western suburbs are especially prone to this.
Why a Pre-Storm Roof Inspection Is Worth It
Even if your roof looks fine from the street, that doesn’t mean everything is storm-ready. A professional inspection by our team can uncover hidden vulnerabilities before they become expensive problems. We’ll check your shingles, flashing, gutters, ventilation, and more, and give you a clear picture of where things stand.
Catching a small issue now is almost always less costly than dealing with emergency repairs after a major storm.
Schedule Your Summer Roof Inspection Today
Clem Davis Company is a GAF Master certified, BBB A+ rated roofing contractor serving Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Naperville, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Oak Brook, Western Springs, Westmont, Willowbrook, Lisle, Bloomingdale, Warrenville, Geneva, St. Charles, and the surrounding western suburbs. Our dedicated repair crew is ready to help you get ahead of storm season before it starts.
Call or text us at (630) 325-5339 or schedule online for a free, no-obligation roof inspection. Let’s make sure your home is ready for whatever summer brings.
