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10 Important Roof Maintenance Tips

Your home’s roof is a big deal, and even if you try to ignore the fact that it might need to be repaired or replaced, you’ll have to face it when it comes time to sell or when problems begin to crop up.

Don’t let your roof be ignored—maintain it throughout its lifetime and you’ll be rewarded with no issues and a long lifespan.

Clean Your Gutters

Homeowners are already well aware of this chore that pops up on the spring checklist. Cleaning your gutters two to three times a year will not only keep your gutter system in good shape, but it will also prolong the life of your roof. When leaves pile up in the gutters, they can cradle moisture, and sometimes even wick it upwards into roof sheathing and rafters.

The chore doesn’t take long and once you get the hang of it, it will be a cinch, just make sure you have someone down below to spot you as you maneuver around the gutter system.

Remove Moss

Moss might seem harmless, but its growth can actually damage your roof. If you want to keep a well-maintained roof, then conducting an inspection and occasional moss removal procedure is going to dramatically extend its longevity and prevent damage from occurring.

Moss traps moisture, and homeowners know that moisture means problems—you don’t want any moisture near your home’s structure because it leads to things like weakening in the structuring and compromising its integrity. The moss must go! Use an environmentally safe pesticide to remove the moss and consider placing zinc strips if the moss likes to keep coming back.

Remove Leaves

Leaves are easy to remove and there’s no excuse to have them on your roof. Leaves collecting in roof valleys or near the chimney will collect and retain moisture, something you don’t want for your roof’s lifespan—not to mention your house beneath it. Clear the leaves off with a leaf rake or leaf blower, and again, make sure a friend is spotting you from the ground below.

Schedule a Roof Inspection

There are some jobs that are best left to the professionals, and in this case, it’s an annual roof inspection. While there are definitely things you can do on your own to maintain your roof, like check for obvious physical damage, clean your gutters and keep debris off of your roof, there are other aspects of a roof that to an untrained eye can go amiss.

A professional roof inspector will be certified in certain tests and examinations of your roof that can detect underlying damages. You can hire an inspector by calling your trusted, local roofing company, searching online for certified inspectors, or even asking your friends and family who they use.

Prune Overhanging Branches

Yes, that big tree that hangs over your house is perfect for summer shade and looks lovely in the fall, but come wintertime, it can pose a deadly threat. If it refuses to drop its leaves in a timely manner, the branches can weigh down with ice and snow, even cracking—slamming into your roof below.

Branches that impact your roof can be devastating to the shingles, and if you don’t repair it right away, snow can seep in through cracks, and homeowners know what happens when moisture gets a hold of their home’s internal structure. Do yourself a favor and before winter rolls around, hire a professional tree service company to remove the branches that are close to your home, you and your roof won’t regret it.

Check for Shingle Damage

Something you can certainly do yourself is to grab a ladder and head up to check to see if there are any signs of shingle damage to your roof. Shingles can see everyday wear and tear, or you might not be aware of something striking your roof if you weren’t at home to hear it, so it’s best to periodically check the condition of them just to be sure.

If the shingles are curled, buckled, or simply missing, you’ll want to address the issue right away to prevent any damage from occurring.

Check the Attic

The attic is a great indication if your roof is holding its own or if it’s time to think about replacing it. If you can see daylight peeking through the boards, if there are water stains that are evident, or noticeably weak shingles, then these issues should be fixed immediately.

The attic will also let you know how well your roof is performing after a big storm has hit.

Prevent Ice Dams

Ice dams are nasty and cause serious damage to a roof.  Once the ice has formed, trying to pry it off of the roof’s surface will only make it worse, so it’s best to think ahead on this one. You’ll want to winterize your roof if you live in an area where snow is a sure thing.

Purchase a roof rake and continually rake the snow off your roof before it accumulates too much. If the snowfall is heavy and persistent, apply heat strips to your roof to melt the snow before it forms into an ice dam.

Examine the Roof After a Storm

Before a big storm hits, you’re going to want to know you’re being protected—not during. Wind storms, ice storms, snow storms, downpours, you name it, your roof is responsible for sheltering you.  In its aftermath, you should check to see if your roof is capable of standing up to the outside elements.

Some repairs might be needed if the storm was particularly nasty, but if you’re seeing a lot of water damage in the attic, then it’s time to talk about a replacement.

Ensure the Roof is Ventilated

If you’re buying a home or just inspecting one that you’re just settling into, it’s important that you make sure the roof is built to breathe. Without proper ventilation, your roof rafting and sheathing will rot because the heat and moisture trapped within.

The roof materials will buckle and bend and the insulation will not be as effective as it should be, introducing a number of problems for your home.

Maintain Your Roof, Maintain Your Home

Your roof is the exterior barrier to the interior of your home, and these maintenance tips can help protect it and everything below. What any homeowner wants is to not have any surprises, and one way to make sure of that is to inspect your roof as a part of your yearly house chores, and on occasion, after a big storm.

It can be easy to lose track of making sure your roof is performing to the best of its abilities with shingles all in-tact, but by doing so, you could be prolonging a replacement.

Protect your home, protect your family, and protect yourself, these are things your roof can do for you, and by maintaining it along the way, the cost will be far less than facing damages that could occur if you don’t.

For the best roof replacement in the Chicagoland area, homeowners trust Feldco Roofing. We combine amazing products from Owens Corning with unbeatable customer service to give you the ultimate roofing experience. Get a free quote today to start your roofing project.

 

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