Your roof is an essential part of your home.
Just like appliances, plumbing, HVAC systems, and more, roofs require regular
maintenance to keep them in good shape. Without regular maintenance, your
roof's lifespan can be extremely dismissed. As a homeowner, you want to do
everything in your power to keep your roof intact so you can keep your home and
family safe. Continue reading to learn tips for taking care of your roof.
Keep
Your Gutters Clean
Gutters are a key component of every roofing
system. When gutters are working properly, they safely move water from your
roof to the ground. However, debris can easily fill up your gutters,
preventing the free flow of water. Each season, clean out your gutters or hire
a gutter cleaning service to remove debris, including leaves and twigs, from
your gutters.
Watch
For Cracked Or Missing Shingles
While you shouldn't go up onto your roof to
check your shingles, you can typically see from the ground any problem areas.
After a hot summer, your shingles can crack from the heat. Storm winds can rip
up your shingles from the roof decking. Cracked and missing shingles leave your
roof unprotected from the elements, possibly causing leaks and holes.
Remove
Any Problematic Tree Limbs
If there are any tree branches that hang over
your roof, hire a tree trimming company to have them removed. A heavy winded
storm could cause the branch to snap and land on your roof. Overhanging
branches can be an opportunity for insects and rodents to get onto your roof
and potentially into your attic. In the winter, snow could weigh the branch to
the point it breaks and falls on your roof. To prevent any of this potential
damage, it's best to have any branches hanging over your roof removed.
Check
For Moss
While you may like how moss looks on your
roof, it needs to be removed as soon as you notice it. As moss grows, it can become a heavy blanket on top of your roof that retains water and moisture and can lead to rot, bacteria, and mold growth. Once you spot moss, contact a roofing
contractor to remove the moss.
Otherwise, here are some general tips concerning moss.
1. Try a garden hose low-pressure rinse.
2. Apply a store-bought cleaning solution for moss (if needed).
3. ***Remove the sources of shade which are typically the main contributing factor. Trim back trees limbs for more sunlight.
4. A copper, zinc, or galvanized metal strip along the ridge of the roof can help.
5. Have the gutters inspected. Backed-up water can attract moss too.
Have
Your Roof Inspected Annually
There are many different things that can
damage your roof. Without regular roof checks, damage can go unnoticed and
continue to get worse over time. Neglected damage can then result in
catastrophic damage which comes with extensive repairs with a hefty price tag.
To prevent extensive damage, schedule regular roof inspections from a qualified
roofing contractor.
Regular roof maintenance is key to improving
the lifespan of your roof. A great start is by scheduling a roof inspection and
moving forward with annual maintenance. ARAC Roof It Forward offers a free
video roof inspection so we can show you videos and photos of the damage on
your roof from the safety of the ground. We will look for common leak penetration areas such as nail pops and cracked dry-rotted pipe boots. As we show you the videos and pictures
we will recommend any necessary repairs and go over the associated costs. Our
goal at Roof It Forward is to provide our community with high-quality roofing
solutions to keep you and your family safe in your home. Schedule your free
video inspection today!
