Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, it protects you and your belongings from the elements. If you want to extend your roof’s lifespan then proper maintenance is a must. It is going to prevent you from having to deal with costly repairs down the road.
Regular maintenance is going to help you to identify issues early on. This will reduce the risk of leaks and it will improve the overall efficiency of your roof. Take a look at some of the key maintenance steps you should be doing for your roof.
Inspect Your Roof Regularly
One of the first steps in roof maintenance is conducting regular inspections. You should try to inspect your roof at least once a year.
Do the inspection in the spring and also in the fall. This allows you to check for signs that there is damage. You’ll be able to spot potential issues very quickly.
You should be on the lookout for missing, curled or cracked shingles. Make note of any areas where the roof appears to be sagging. You should pay special attention to the areas around your chimneys, skylights and vents. These are common trouble spots where leaks are often found.
Keep Your Gutters Clean and Clear
Clogged gutters are one of the leading causes of roof damage. When your gutters become filled with debris, and leaves water cannot flow freely through the system. This is going to lead to the pooling of water on the roof of your home.
This can cause a lot of damage to shingles and even cause rotting on the roof if you are not careful. To avoid this you have to make sure that you clean your gutters regularly especially during the fall when leaves will start to accumulate.
Grab a ladder and remove debris to make sure that your gutters remain functional.
Roof Cleaning
Roof cleaning is an often overlooked aspect of roof maintenance. Over time you can be sure that moss, algae are going to accumulate on top of your roof. This is most likely to happen in those areas that are shaded. This not only takes away from the appearance of your roof but it can also lead to long-term damage as well.
Algae and moss have a reputation for trapping moisture and that can lead to roof rot. In some cases, it may even lead to mold and contribute to a breakdown of your shingles.
Roof cleaning involves removing dirt using specialized cleaning solutions or pressure washing.
Trim Overhanging Branches
Trees can be a beautiful addition to your property. However, overhanging trees pose a big risk to your roof. When Storms Come and the winds get high, branches can break off and damage your roof severely. This can lead to costly repairs.
Additionally, branches that are too close to the roof can drop leaves and debris to the surface and this is going to promote the growth of moss and algae. Obviously, you want to avoid this at all costs.