Every year, Americans spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on roof repair and replacement. While damages due to storm are unavoidable, homeowners can easily steer clear of most roof problems by regularly following certain tips for roof maintenance.
Your roof protects you and your house from all types of weather, bugs, and other outdoor elements. So, we don’t really need to say why you should spend some time and effort to ensure that it stays in prime condition.
Follow these tips to extend the life of your roof and avoid heavy damages along the way.
1. Don’t Let Debris Sit on the Rooftop
While it’s common for roofs to collect dirt and debris, you must make it a habit to clean it regularly. From dust and bird droppings to leaves, twigs, loose gravel, and everything else in between, remove all debris as soon as you can. These materials retain moisture and can, therefore, stain the surface of roof tiles. Letting the debris accumulate also promotes mold and algae growth, which is not only hard to get rid of, but also hazardous for health.
2. Keep Your Drains Clear
Blocked drains and leaky pipes can cause structural damage to your roof. If your auxiliary or field drains tend to clog time and again, consider gutter replacement as a more permanent solution.
3. Check the Rooftop Regularly
You don’t necessarily have to get up there. If you cannot climb a ladder or have a rooftop that’s somewhat hard to inspect on your own, simply grab a pair of binoculars. Take a good look at your roof while keeping an eye out for any prominent holes, missing shingles, cracked tiles, loosened fasteners, and the likes. If there is any area with exposed felts or missing gravel, get it fixed by a professional roofing contractor immediately.
4. Look for Leaks in the Attic
A good practice for proper roof maintenance is to check your attic and ceilings as frequently as the roof itself. If there are water stains on your ceiling or a musty smell in your attic, be warned! Find the leak and patch it up before it makes a mess.
5. Inspect Roof Penetrations
Penetrations refer to the different features installed on the roof or protruding through its surface. Chimneys, gutters, skylights, exhaust fans, pipes, heating and air conditioning units all fall under the category of roof penetrations. It is crucial to examine every other component attached to your roof. Look for any leaks in the rain collars. Examine vents, conduits, etc., for signs of wear and tear. If anything requires repair or professional maintenance, don’t delay it.
6. Trim the Trees
Overhanging tree branches can be problematic for a few reasons. The most obvious one is the risk of damaging your roof, especially during harsh weather conditions. Even if you don’t live in an area that’s prone to storms and hurricanes, it’s safer to keep the trees trimmed. This is because a gust of strong wind can easily send branches crashing onto your roof. Moreover, cutting off large branches hanging over or around your roof will also reduce leaves piling on the rooftop.
Many homeowners stay neglectful of roof maintenance until some major problem arises. And then it is usually a big investment.
Following the aforementioned tips for roof maintenance can save you trouble down the lane. If you need a professional assessment of your roof, our expert roofing contractors will be happy to help. You can contact us by clicking here.
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