When you’re a homeowner, it can feel a though the upkeep never stops. The biggest disasters that come from neglect, however, can be avoided. Taking care of your roof is one of those tasks that you can do to make sure you maintain quality. Following these roof maintenance tips can help you to avoid having to pay for expensive damage repairs.
Roof Maintenance Tips
Quick Tips
- Never walk directly on the roof. Use a ladder and take notes as you work your way around your home, checking the roof.
- Call a professional for investigations if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself.
- If you don’t like heights, stand back, and check the roof with binoculars.
- If you spot any problem areas, don’t put off dealing with it.
- Choose the right roof to begin with. What Roofing solution is right for your home or office? Find out, and use it.
Shingles
Shingles are a good indicator of how your roof is holding up. If there are any missing, and you can see lots of curling, cupping, or chipped and buckled shingles, you know have a real problem.
This means it’s past time for some repairs. Granules from your shingles are another sign. Some of the granules will naturally come off and find their way into your gutters, but if they’re piling up, or your roof is uneven and spotty from the loss of these grains, that the roof is getting near the end of its life.
These are red flags for much bigger problems and are a sign that your roof is old, and you should think about replacing the shingles. In fact, according to professionals, in order to avoid such issues, many homeowners often opt for Elite Shingle roofs and enjoy the perks thereafter.
Chimneys And Flashings
Chimneys are another common source of leaks. Check the flashing and make sure none of it has peeled away, or become dislodged or damaged. Skylights are more obvious when they’re leaking, as you’ll notice inside almost immediately.
If you can tell where the water is coming in, deal with it straight away. Vents should also be checked to make sure that no sealant has cracked or peeled away.
Any structure that penetrates through the roof and needs to be sealed to prevent leaks should be checked. These are natural weak points in the rook that could let in water.
Eaves And Guttering
Cleaning your gutters is very important and should be done in the spring and fall. If debris piles up in the gutters, it will stop water from reaching your downspouts. It can soak into the roof and cause rot. This kind of damage is expensive to repair.
Final Thoughts
If you don’t feel confident about cleaning your gutters yourself, you can hire a roof maintenance professional to do it for you. If you do it yourself, make sure you wear gloves and use proper access equipment.
Don’t try to clean gutters with your bare hands. Sweep out leaves and other debris away from the downspout and then rinse the gutters with a high-pressure hose towards the downspout. Remember to dispose of the debris safely and responsibly too.