When a roof isn’t properly maintained, it can drastically reduce the lifespan of the roof materials. Spending some money every year to have your roof inspected and have small problems fixed can save you the cost and time of having something major fixed down the road. In fact, in most cases, roof material warranties are void if damages occur because the roof wasn’t maintained properly.
Here are some tips to ensure that your roof stays in tip-top condition.
1. Inspect your roof regularly
Inspecting your roof is important year-round, but it’s especially important to inspect your roof before and after the season that does the most damage. If you live in the north, the winter is usually the most damaging season and if you live in the south it’s the summer. If you live in a climate where you have harsh winters and summers, then you’ll want to do an inspection before and after both of those seasons. You will also want to check your roof after any storms with heavy winds.
Look for leaves and debris on the roof and in the gutters and check for any damage caused by ice damming. Also check for any loose or damaged shingles.
2. Keep your roof clean
It’s hard to see if there’s any damage when you can’t actually see your roof. Keeping your roof and gutters clean insures that you can successfully inspect your roof. It also prevents any organic matter from sitting on your roof and retaining water which can weaken the roofing materials.
3. Inspect the flashing
Flashing is material used at the joints in roof and wall construction to prevent water from trickling in and causing damage. Usually flashing is used around vents, exhaust pipes, and chimneys. If there is a leak in your house, it’s usually because of damaged flashing.
4. Check your attic
Your roof may not look damaged, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t. Inspect your attic for any soft spots and signs of animals or insects. Check any unfinished areas of your attic for streaks or stains which may be signs of water damage.
5. Check the ventilation
Proper ventilation ensures that your roof does not get damaged from the freeze and thaw cycles that come with the changing of seasons. It also ensures that your attic does not get too hot in the summer which can lead to the de-lamination of roof sheathing and loosen the shingles.
6. Check your drainage system
Standing bodies of water are damaging to your roof. Having a proper drainage system can help prevent this. If your drainage system is up to par and you still have standing water, this could indicate that there is another problem, such as sagging.
7. Schedule a professional inspection
Yearly inspections by professionals are vital to proper roof maintenance. A trained eye is much more likely to notice a problem.
8. Do the suggested repairs
Regular roof inspections won’t do much good if you’re not actually fixing the problems that are found. Although it can be annoying to have roofers banging away, small fixes now can save you from major (and costly) repairs in the future.
Proper roof maintenance is an integral part of home maintenance. A well maintained roof can last for years and ensure that you and your family stay safe and dry.