Your roof helps to insulate your building, keeps water from seeping into your walls, and of course, provides a beautiful architectural touch to your home.
But if you don’t take the proper care of your roof, you can drastically shorten its lifetime. Plus, the longer that you ignore basic roof maintenance, the worse problems that could have been easy fixes will become.
So, what are some roofing basics when it comes to taking care of your rooftop, gutters, and everything else?
Annual Roof Maintenance
Keep on reading this post to find out how you can take the best possible care of your roof. No matter its age, the climate you live in, or even the type of roofing that you have, everyone can benefit from this information.
Do a Visual Inspection
First of all, proper roof maintenance means that you need to know what to look for when you conduct a quick visual inspection of your roof.
Keep your eye out for loose shingles, as well as patches of missing shingles on the tops of your roof. Even check the land beneath your roof for signs of fallen shingles.
Also, try to determine if the shingles on your roof have started to buckle and if the nails holding them down are coming loose. In some cases, this may mean climbing up on your roof. You may want to hire a professional to do this (we’ll talk more about that later on).
Be sure that you take a look at the flashing of your roof. This is especially important where the chimney connects to the rest of the roof. If you notice rust, missing caulk, or any other issues, it’s time to make an appointment with professionals.
You may need to have new roofing pads installed, or replace the shingles altogether.
Be sure that you’ve taken a good look at the soffit and fascia of your roof. This is the panel between your roofline and your home’s walls, as well as the metal or wooden parts of your roof.
Make sure that they don’t have any holes in them, as well as areas where water damage can seep through.
Clean Out Your Gutters
It’s no secret that gutters jammed with debris can weigh down your roof and make it impossible for water to properly drain.
If you ignore this step, then you run the risk of having your heavy gutters damage the entire structural integrity of your home. We know that cleaning gutters can be a pain, but it’s nothing compared to the high costs of fixing the kind of damage that they can cause.
Plus, leaf and stick-filled gutters make the perfect home for rodents and other pests that can quickly damage your home — and keep you awake with their chirping!
Keep the Roof Free From Debris
As a homeowner, you are responsible for making sure that your roof is free from any debris as soon as possible after damage occurs.
For example, if a storm has left branches, leaves, and twigs on your roof, make sure that you take care of the problem sooner rather than later.
In addition to weighing heavily on your roof’s support system and causing damage to your home, this debris can also knock shingles and gutters loose.
Plus, the debris may even fall off the roof, which can harm your property or your family.
Don’t attempt to handle this on your own. Work with professionals who have the required tools and experience to handle debris on the roof quickly and safely. It’s just not worth putting your safety at risk.
Know the Signs of Water Damage
Finally, the golden rule of roof basics when it comes to the best maintenance is to know the signs of water damage.
Of course, the most effective way to do this is to head up to your attic. Keep your eye out for any signs of water stains or discoloration on the walls and your ceiling. This is likely a sign that water is leaking into your home.
The same goes if you notice staining on your wallpaper in other rooms of your home.
As water damage can get out of control fast and cause other problems like termite, bug, and rodent infestations, we suggest that you contact a professional as soon as you can.
In some cases, it may even be time for you to get a roof replacement.
Hire A Professional
Whether you need a new rooftop drainage system, a total replacement, or even want to work with a professional about changing up the look and material of your roof, in some cases, the best thing to do is to speak with an expert.
We suggest that you get a professional inspection at least once a year. If you’ve suffered from an especially bad storm, or if your roof is a bit older, you may need those inspections done more frequently.
In addition to diagnosing the issue, a roofing professional can also help you to fix a problem before it spirals out of control.
Looking For Reliable Roof Maintenance Services?
We hope that this post has helped you to learn what you need to do to master basic roof maintenance.
Remember to act as quickly as possible to get the best results.
Above all, know when it’s the right time for you to contact a professional. If you’re looking for experienced roofing services that will get things done right the first time, reach out to us to get started.
We look forward to helping you.
