Roof Maintenance to Prevent Roof Damage

Roof maintenance will prevent roof damage and save you money, time and aggravation. Think about it… in almost every facet of our lives, maintenance can prevent so much damage. Whether it’s exercising to maintain your health, or getting an oil change to maintain your car, maintenance is essential to proper functioning. Proper maintenance also extends to our homes. Simply put, if you want to save money, prevent damage and enhance the life span of your home then you must maintain it properly!

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home that needs to be maintained. It’s not enough to think your roof is o.k. just because you do not have leaks and it looks fine when you pull up to your home. In fact, professional roofers agree that you should perform a bi-annual check of your roof in order to catch any problems as they begin as well as to prevent any problems from occurring. This check is for the inside and outside of your home. Besides for checking your roof twice a year, it’s important to keep a general eye out for your roof. Using binoculars is a great way to get a closer eye on what’s going on up on your roof.

Keep an eye out by:

Checking that branches have not fallen onto your roof- If you see any larger branches on your roof, then it’s a good idea to go up and remove them. Always follow safety precautions when climbing up on the roof. Read below for more practical safety tips.

Trimming branches that touch or overhang your roof.
Checking that your walls or ceilings don’t have water stains which are signs of leaks or that ceiling tiles don’t have any mold growths.
Regularly cleaning your gutters and downspouts of any debris such as leaves.

When is the best time to conduct a bi-annual check of your roof?

The best time to check your roof is when the weather is at its calmest. For most places throughout the U.S, the beginning of the fall and the beginning of the spring are the calmest times when there isn’t heavy ice or snow or heavy rainfall.

When it’s time to do your maintenance check, start in the inside of your home by checking in your attic or crawlspace for dampness or drip spots. If you do find some spots, then make a note of the area that you found them in so that you can check the same area on the outdoor check up on your roof. It’s a good idea to check around your entire house for any ceiling spots, paying close attention to areas you may not have checked during the year.

Continuing to the outside of your home, you will be able to do some of the outdoor check without getting up on your roof but most will require you to get up on your roof. Before doing so, please make sure to follow these safety tips as well as think through a common sense plan for keeping yourself safe while up on your roof, including letting someone know that you’ll be going up there!

Use a safety harness and a secure rope
Properly position your ladder
NEVER go up on a wet roof!
Wear non-slip shoes

Once you get up on your roof, the first thing that you should do is to visually inspect shingles for damage or deterioration. It’s recommended to pay extra close attention to the sunnier side of the roof in that it often gets more damage. Next, head toward the chimney. The chimney is a common place that water makes its way into, so you really want to inspect this area with detail to make sure there are no cracks. Make sure you check the flashings, remove any debris and clear out drains.

Getting into the habit of roof maintenance is simple. Mark it on your calendar every year and you surely wont forget!

Learn more about maintaining your roof at Roofing Networks