As a homeowner, taking care of the roof can be challenging. No matter which roof you have for your home, you will need to take good care of it. Proper roof maintenance can protect against any expensive repairs caused because of water leaks and other factors. These tips will help ensure that the roof lasts its expected lifespan.
1. Trim Back Trees
It can create a picturesque landscape when the branches climb close to your home, but they can cause some serious issues. Loose branches can fall off your roof during a storm and immediately damage it. Also, in such cases, you are offering easy access to squirrels and other critters to come inside your home. One of the best ways to keep this from happening is to clear loose branches.
In case, the branches grow too little to your place, ensure to trim it to save your roof from any damage. At the same time, ensure that there is enough space for the gutters to drain out water from your home.
2. Keep The Gutters Clean
Each season invites some dust which can end up in your gutters. Ensure that you keep them clean and away from all the blockages. If the water isn’t able to free down your gutters, there can be a lot of trouble for the basement and ceiling. Take the help of a professional gutter cleaning service for clearing any obstructions.
3. Remove Snow From The Roof
Snow can cause a lot of damage if left unchecked and create a not-so-fun situation. It is one of the imperative steps that you need to take if you want your new roof to last even longer. However, if you have an older roof, a heavy amount of snow can cause roof collapse. Take the help of a snow rake for the removal of snow from your roof. It will help in minimizing any chance of roof collapse.
4. Remove Moss And Mold
Removing algae, moss, and mold spores are really required. It can easily get carried away by the wind and can spread on your rooftop. While algae don’t cause much harm but moss and mold can damage your asphalt roofing. Both moss and mold can easily grow in moisture, so if you find them on your roof, there might be an area where the moisture is there. Take proper precautions to protect any landscaping to grow on your rooftop and prevent this from happening.
5. Check For Any Leaks In The Ceiling
You might not be able to check any leaks in the ceiling from the outside, but, your roof exterior can provide you with a clear picture. When going through the roof, ensure to be careful while inspecting the ceilings. Look for any signs of moisture or water damage.
If you see any damage which requires urgent repair, calling a professional roofer should be top of your list.
6. Lookout For Cracked Or Missing Shingles
Summer weather can really be bad for your roof. Excessive temperatures can cause the shingles to shrink, crack, and even tear. While most roofs are built to last for years, extreme weather can be strong enough to damage the roofing systems. Take a few minutes for a roof inspection once in a while and identify the areas where shingles can be missing or damaged.
Calling a professional roofing company for roof inspection can help you stay ahead and decrease the possibility of any damage in the future. When doing this, you can also run an assessment to see how to improve your entire roof. You can view roof types here and see which one agrees with the climate in your area. This assessment can also help you find alternatives that come with better energy efficiency while reducing your overall roof maintenance cost.
7. Ensure The Attic Has Good Insulation
A poorly insulated roof will cause a problem in the long run. Fitting the attic, and roof space with proper insulation will not only save you from energy costs but also help keep the home’s temperature at a comfortable level. You might be surprised to know that if you have proper roofing insulation, it can last as long as 40 years.
8. Get An Inspection
One of the best ways for roof maintenance is to get an inspection from certified roofing companies. As a homeowner, you might not know the exact tips to maintain a roof and increase its lifespan, but the professionals have proper training and can spot any signs of damage or decay right away.
If you want your roof to last long, consider scheduling a roof inspection once a year or after storms.
What Should You Do If It’s Time To Replace The Roof?
If the roofing inspector determines that the roof must be replaced, you should look out for a good contractor. You can go through the web and check different review platforms to get a real picture of the company, and then only proceed further.
Sometimes, things wrong with the roof won’t be visible to the naked eye but can have the biggest impact. But, the above-mentioned tips and techniques will surely help in keeping your roof in the best shape and condition to make it last even longer.
One thing that you shouldn’t forget is to go for a professional inspection at least once a year.