A roof is an integral part of any structure. It protects your family and your home from all kinds of weather, bugs, animals, and debris. However, hardly anyone thinks about their roof until it is too late━when it has to be repaired or replaced. Roof repair or replacement can cost a lot. It can seriously put a dent on your budget.
Depending on the materials used, your roof can last up to 20 or 30 years with proper care and maintenance. Before summer ends, you and your family can do some fun-filled productive outdoor activities, like cleaning your roof.
Whether it’s a brand-new roof or an old one, your roof needs some lovin’. Here are some tips to make your roof lasts as long as possible.
Do a Visual Inspection Twice a Year
Together with your family, you can do a spring and fall visual inspection of your roof from the ground. You do not need to clamber up a ladder; all you need is a good pair of binoculars to do this.
Inspect problem areas such as lifting or missing shingles, damaged drip edge, sagging or broken gutters, and missing or exposed fasteners. Any of these signs of damages should be looked at as soon as possible. A reputable professional roofing contractor can make all these necessary repairs.
Trim Tall Trees and Any Overhanging Branches
A big and tall tree hanging over your house is a pretty sight, on top of offering a welcoming shade during summer. However, overhanging branches can pose a threat over your roof, as it may cause scratches and punctures on your shingles.
Overhanging branches also gives access to squirrels and other rodents to your house. These pests can gnaw on your roof. Before its winter season, do your roof a favor and hire a professional tree service company to remove any branches hanging close to your house. This will help prevent damage on your roof, especially during severe weather.
If you have pets around, it is best to keep them safe from any falling debris while you have your tree trimmed. Animals usually feel discomfort with loud noises; thus, it would be best to keep them inside the house.
Clean the Gutter From Leaves and Other Debris
Another essential tip on the roof maintenance checklist is cleaning out your gutter. Cleaning out your gutters and downspouts help you inspect any sagging gutters or damaged drain components that need to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Not only that but having a clean gutter will keep your roof moist-free and healthy.
Clogged gutters not only cause visible water stains, but it also makes it easier for water to seep under the roof structure, eventually destroying the structural integrity of your roof. Experts recommend that you clean them out twice a year, once during spring and again during fall.
Ensure Proper Ventilation and Insulation on Your Attic
Keeping your home, particularly your attic, in proper insulation and ventilation, can help keep your roof in good condition. Lack of proper ventilation causes sheathing and rafting to rot and insulation to lose effectiveness.
Furthermore, inadequate insulation can cause extensive damage to the shingles and roof itself. Ice dams created on your roof prevents water from properly draining from the gutters.
Ensure there’s a gap-free insulation layer on your attic floor. You also need to have a vapor retarder under the insulation to keep moisture from rising into the attic and protect your home against heat gain or loss.
Give Your Roof Some Good Washing
Another great tip from roofing experts is to have your roof washed. As shingles are exposed to everyday wear and tear, at some point, it will start to look dirty. Debris, moss, and algae formation does not only make your roof look unattractive, but they can harm the longevity of your roof.
Roof cleaning can be done by yourself or through a professional. For houses with shingle roofs, you just spray your roof with a mixture of 50 percent water and 50 percent bleach or any sodium percarbonate solution.
Have Your Roof and Attic Checked After a Storm
In addition to having regular roofing inspection at least twice a year, it is a good idea to have your attic and roof checked after a storm. Check for leaks, dented gutters, chipped off or missing shingles, and any other damage caused by hail, heavy wind, and rainwater.
It is best to address these issues as early as possible. Ignoring them now will cause extensive repair and replacement in the future and will cost you much more than your initial calculation.
If you want to have a productive outdoor activity before summer ends, you can do household inspection and maintenance, such as the roofing task outlined above.