Roof Maintenance: Your Quick Checklist
The roofing system is one of the most valuable parts of a home, but many homeowners neglect it for too long and fail to give it the care and attention it deserves.
Roofs are made to be tough and durable, but they will eventually show signs of wear and tear after years of protecting you and your family from the onslaught of changing weather.
The last thing you’d want to happen is for your roof to fail and cause a string of problems around your home. To prevent this from happening, make it a point to perform routine maintenance on your roof once or twice a year. Taking good care of your roofing system will not only help you avoid costly roof repairs; it can lead to substantial savings in roofing insurance too.
Preventative Roof Maintenance Checklist
Caring for your roof can be stressful, but a quick and easy roof maintenance checklist can help make things much more manageable.
We’ve put together a list of roof maintenance tasks that can help you keep your roofing system in tip-top shape.
1. Check the condition of your roof regularly.
The first and most essential step in roof maintenance is checking your roofing system often, especially after extreme weather conditions such as storms and high winds. Some common roofing problems to look out for include: missing/warped/cracked shingles, peeling flashing, loose panels, and missing granules.
You don’t have to climb on your roof to assess its condition. A good pair of binoculars is enough to help you detect issues that need attention. If you find anything that requires repair, contact a professional roofing contractor as soon as possible.
2. Clean out the gutters.
Gutters play an integral role in keeping your roof dry. But if you don’t clean them for a very long time, they won’t be as effective in draining water away from your roof.
Leaves, twigs, and other debris can quickly accumulate in your gutters and block the flow of water. When this happens, the water can pool and get absorbed by the roof sheathing and cause it to rot. The built-up moisture may also spread under your roof, seep into your home, and cause several issues.
Cleaning your gutter can be messy work, but it’s essential to preserving your roofing system.
3. Trim overhanging branches.
Most homeowners don’t give much thought to the foliage growing around their homes, but trees with extended branches actually pose a threat to your roof. For one, overhanging limbs can break, fall onto your roof and cause significant damage. Also, leaves piling on top of your roof and gutters can trap moisture and eventually weaken the structure.
Taking the time to check the trees surrounding your property and then trimming overhanging branches will help ensure that your roof lasts its expected life span, if not more.
4. Check for interior signs of roof damage.
A thorough examination of your ceiling and attic can tell you a lot about the condition of your roof. Finding molds, mildew, drips, water stains, and other signs of water damage in these parts of your home usually indicates a hole or leak in the roof.
If you suspect a hole or a leak in your roofing system, call in your roof technician and have it fixed right away. Delaying repairs will only lead to worse and more expensive problems in the future.
5. Schedule a professional inspection.
You’re probably wondering why it’s necessary to pay for a roofing inspection when you already have this checklist to guide you on what to do.
The thing is: no matter how observant or meticulous you are, you could still easily overlook issues in your roofing system. Roofing professionals, on the other hand, are trained to detect even the most subtle signs of roof damage, which allows them to perform a more thorough inspection. They can also update you regarding the overall condition of your roofing system and provide you with a rough estimate of how many more years it can be expected to last.
Most experts recommend scheduling a roof inspection twice a year (right before summer and a few weeks before the winter kicks in), so you have at least one less thing to worry about as you welcome the change in seasons. Contact us today to schedule a home maintenance inspection!