The roof is one of the most important parts of any house. After all, it serves as a barrier against hail, ice, snow, and rain, as well as branches and debris. Unfortunately, it is not indestructible, and if you want it to serve its purpose for many years to come, you simply have to put a lot of time and effort into roofing maintenance.
In this article, you will learn what you need to do to keep your roof in top shape, ranging from maintaining your gutters and trimming overhanging branches to keeping it clean and inspecting the shingles regularly. Check it out!
Trim Overhanging Branches
Your roof is under constant attack from falling leaves, water, and debris. In addition to that, overhanging branches can also damage your roof. Thus, you should keep your tree branches trimmed and away from your roof. If there are trees in your yard that are close to your roof, you should start trimming them as soon as possible.
Inspect and Repair Broken Shingles
If you notice a cracked or missing shingle, you should inspect the rest of the roof to make sure that the issue doesn’t lie with a damaged piece of wood or a leaky nail. Although most homeowners don’t worry about small cracks on their shingles, it is important that you take them seriously. The more time passes, the bigger the crack becomes and the weaker the shingle becomes.
Clean the Roof Regularly
In addition to repairing damaged shingles, you should also clean your roof regularly. This will not only help you spot any issues faster, but it will also prolong its lifespan.
When should you clean your roof? Roofs are typically cleaned in the Spring and Autumn to keep them free of debris, moss, algae, lichen and anything else that could potentially damage it.
When washing your roof, you should use a pressure washer with nozzles that are at least angled 30 degrees downwards. You should always work from the top of the roof down because this will prevent water from leaking in between shingles. You should also avoid using detergents or bleach because these substances can corrode metal fasteners and shingle finishes. Instead, you should use soapy water and a soft brush.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts Regularly
Even if you clean your roof regularly, your gutters can still become clogged with leaves and debris. This can create a lot of problems for the roof because water will not be able to flow away from it easily. That is why you should clean your gutters and downspouts at least once every 6 months.
If you don’t know how to do it yourself, you should hire a professional gutter cleaning service. The best thing about hiring a professional is that they will clean not only your gutters but also your roof. You might also consider rubber gutter relining and repair to protect your gutters.
Make Sure That the Roof Has Proper Drainage
In addition to cleaning the gutters and downspouts regularly, you should also make sure that there are no issues with the drainage system of your roof. If you notice that water pools on your roof or doesn’t drain away, you should get a professional to check it out. This way, you will be able to make sure that water doesn’t end up causing any damage to your roof.
Check for Leaks and Damage Regularly
One of the best ways to find out if your roof is doing well or not is by checking for leaks or damages on a regular basis. You should always check your roof after heavy rains and windy days. If there are any problems, you should call a professional right away. Not only will they be able to fix the issue quickly, but they will also tell you how you can prevent similar issues from happening in the future.
Get a Roof Inspection as Soon as Possible
Although most people don’t consider their roofs until something goes wrong with them, getting an inspection done is actually one of the most important things that you can do in order to keep your roof in top shape. In addition to preventing any serious issues from happening, a good inspection will also let you know what kind of maintenance your roof needs and how much time it has left before it starts leaking and breaking down completely.
In Conclusion
As a homeowner, you know that your roof is the most important part of your house. But it’s easy to neglect this crucial component when there are so many other things to worry about, like paying the bills or keeping up with family life. The good news is that these simple steps will keep your roof in great shape for years to come.