Will Fireworks Damage a Roof This New Year?
Are you among the many people who enjoy fireworks displays in your neighborhood during the New Year? Or maybe you’re among those who usually create these shows for your family’s entertainment every 4th of July? Well, that’s awesome. A lot of people love to see these beautifully burning fireworks up in the sky. I’m even one of them!
We all know that fireworks sure make each new year’s and any other celebration brighter and exciting. However, it’s worth noting that DIY pyrotechnic shows in your neighborhood pose fire-risk to your roof, and for your house, as a whole. Although most modern roofing materials are usually fire-resistant, roof-damaged is still a legit concern during the fireworks season.
So will fireworks damage your roof? It sure can. The good thing is that there are a couple of things you can do to protect your roof from the effects of fireworks. Knowing these precautionary measures can help save you thousands of dollars in future repairs and maintenance, so check them out below.
Make necessary repairs.
Check your roof for any repairs needed and have them done before the fireworks season starts. Hiring a professional roofer to do a thorough check is also a worthwhile investment. It’s important to note that roofing materials underneath the shingles are incredibly combustible. Thus, if your roof has cracked, broken, or missing shingles, the risk of it catching fire is high.
Clean it up.
Debris and dried leaves are highly flammable. So before setting off any firecrackers, be sure to clean your roof and remove any debris, as this can spell disaster for your roof. Don’t forget to check your gutters, too, and ensure its free from any debris that can attract fire.
Trim overhanging tree branches.
If there are any trees near your roof, be sure to trim any overhanging branches. Dead branches attached to living trees can pose a threat to your roof, catching fire during fireworks lighting.
Light fireworks at least 500 feet away from your home.
Lighting the fireworks as far as possible from your home is the ideal scenario. We recommend keeping the displays at least 500 feet or more away from your home. This will ensure fireworks debris that is still burning won’t get anywhere near your roof, which can cause a fire.
Upgrade to a metal roof.
This may sound like an extreme precautionary measure against fireworks, but upgrading to a metal roof can be a worthy investment. It may be pricey, but if you have the finances, a metal roof can sure keep you worry-free against fire.
Moreover, it also comes with many other benefits such as a longer useful life of up to 50 years, beautiful aesthetics, wind resistance, energy-efficiency, and more. However, this upgrade may not be suitable for everyone since your home should meet specific requirements before installing a metal roof. So if you’re considering this option, it would be worth checking with a professional roofer first.
So that’s it. As always, prevention is better than cure. Avoidance is even better. So if you could do away with lighting fireworks altogether and instead head out to a show made by professionals, it would be the best precautionary measure to keep your roof safe from fire. Good luck and enjoy the new year!