Fireworks and your Roof

The 4th of July for 2016 has come and gone and now it’s time to get back to work.

As roofers, we’ve seen pretty much everything when it comes to “ways your roof can be ruined,’ including fireworks. If you’ve ever performed your own mini-pyrotechnics show in your driveway and watched sparks and debris rain down over your home, you might have an idea of what we’re talking about.

Fireworks have the ability to do some serious damage to your roof. Many types of fireworks are still burning as they rain back down from the sky, which can spell disaster for your home. Some people think that because their house has asphalt shingles (as opposed to the seemingly more flammable shake, or wood, shingles), their roof can “take it” without incident. Unfortunately, that’s just not the case. If your (asphalt shingled) roof has any cracked, broken, or missing shingles, the material underneath them (namely roof felt paper and wood decking) is extremely combustible – making your roof very susceptible to catching fire.

This may not seem like a big deal until you start to think about the storms that hit not too long ago. Hail, high winds, and funnel clouds descending over neighborhoods wreaked complete and total havoc on roofs all across the city. Because of the extent of the damage, many homeowners are still waiting for repairs and left damaged shingles vulnerable during the holiday.

So what can you do to protect your roof from being ravaged by the after-effects of fireworks in the following years?

First, make sure to have any necessary repairs done to your roof BEFORE the 4th. If that’s not possible, forego lighting any fireworks at your house and, instead, head out to a show that’s put on by professionals (and is nowhere near your roof!)

Another option would be simply replacing your shingled roof with a metal roof. Realize that putting a metal roof on your house just for the sake of fireworks may be a bit extreme for most (but we totally get it if that’s the perfect answer for your situation, and would be more than happy to help you make that dream a reality).

Most realistically, make sure that all fireworks are lit AT LEAST 500 feet from your home – preferably further, if possible.

Whatever you decide, just know that the friendly folks here at Golden Rule are more than willing to lend a hand should you decide (or have fireworks decide for you) that a roofing repair or replacement is in order.