Roofs are sturdy, strong, durable, and designed to withstand strong winds and harsh weather conditions. Every year thousands of homeowners get their roofs replaced. They do this because they have old roofs and/or roofs that haven’t been well-maintained.
If you want your roof to maintain its working efficiency, you must get it regularly inspected and maintained. If you keep ignoring the condition of the roof, it will require frequent repairs and lead to early roof replacement.
What are some roof maintenance tips you should not ignore?
#1 Clean The Roof:
The very first thing that you should do when performing roof maintenance is this: clean the roof. Focus on removing all the debris (bird poop, dried leaves, dirt, etc.) from the roof. When the roof is truly clean, you should be able to find any problems that are present on the roof, on its shingles, or around the flashing areas. If there are parts with stagnant water, get the water removed immediately. Once the water and dry debris have been removed from the roof, you can use a pressurized system and water to clean stubborn dirt from the roof surface. This will give a fresh and clean look to the roof.
#2 Inspect The Roof:
Once the roof has been cleaned, you can inspect the entire area and check for missing, broken/cracked, or curled up shingles, along with cracks on the roof edges, damaged flashing areas, and any other damages. If you think that damages are serious then you should hire professional roofers to get repair work done quickly.
#3 Clean And Inspect Gutters:
Gutters are an essential component of the roofing system. They are helpful when it comes to directing the flow of water to the downspouts. Excessive debris collection in the gutter can block the flow of water and ruin its proper functioning. Moreover, if clogged water is not removed, it might get transformed into ice dams and exert pressure on the gutters. So, when maintaining the roofing system, it is essential to clean the gutters regularly.
#4 Clean Out Moss And Mildew:
The uncontrolled growth of moss and mildew on the roof can be extremely dangerous. The presence of stagnant water will promote the growth of moss and mildew on the roof. If this moss and mildew is not removed regularly, it will damage the structural integrity of the roof and also let water penetrate inside the walls and ceiling of the house. To clean the moss and mildew, you can use a common cleaning solution and spray it on the affected area.
#5 Check The Caulk Around Flashing Areas:
The function of caulk is to create a bond between roofing elements. With the help of caulk, the roof can effectively reduce the adverse effects of harsh climatic weather fluctuations. If the caulk gets damaged, the roof will start deteriorating in functional efficiency. When regularly cleaning and maintaining the roof, check the caulk around flashing areas and get it repaired if damaged.
#6 Make Sure The Attic Is Perfectly Ventilated:
Having a perfectly ventilated attic ensures that the house insulation is also in perfect condition and this will keep the home cozy as well as comfortable. If the ventilation is damaged for some reason, it will not help insulate the house. This, in turn, will increase the utility bills, and you won’t feel physically comfortable in the house because it’s always too warm or too cold.
#7 Trim Overhanging Tree Branches:
Large tree branches often become a problem for the roof if they are not getting trimmed regularly. Due to strong winds or stormy weather, overhanging branches may fall on the roof and damage the shingles and caulk. Ideally, trim the long branches of overhanging trees after every seasonal change so they don’t bother the roof of the house.
Summary:
It’s important to maintain your roof. You should clean your roof when possible, as well as follow the aforementioned advice concerning roof maintenance. It’s a smart idea to have a professional roofer inspect your roof annually to see if there are any damages that need repairs.