The roof of a home might be a slightly ignored aspect of its external appeal but it is an extraordinarily important part of maintaining your house and preventing accumulative damage and leakages. Here are some maintenance tips to keep your roof young and in good condition regardless of temperature, climate and other factors of wear and tear.
Seasonal Checks
Roofs rarely get inspected especially in homes that do not necessarily have an attic or access to the roof from inside. Schedule seasonal checks at the very least which amounts to about 4 to 5 inspections per year and you can hire a professional to undertake these as well. Regular inspections increase the chances of catching signs of roof damage like cracked shingles early on before they grow to become full-fledged roofing problems that require costly replacements.
The signs of roof damage to be on the lookout for are sagging dips in the roof, cracks or gaps in the roofing material, exposed insulation material due to holes in the roof, accumulating decomposing natural matter or excessive growth of predatory weeds or related plants. If your house does have an attic, make a point of going up there every now and then to look for water damage or excessive moisture or mold, which can often be traced back to a leaking or damaged roof.
Roof Cleaning
Professional roof cleaners use hoses and special tools to wash and scrape off all dead matter and debris from the surface of the roof. This is a task the homeowner can carry out themselves at least twice a year because it prevents mold and bacteria from taking hold on the surface of the roof and causing moisture trapping which ultimately can worsen the air quality inside your home. If your roof is cleaned and hosed down and then scrapped gently at least twice a year, there will be much less chance of gutters and downspouts getting blocked or water building up ultimately leading to fungal or algae growth.
Downspouts And Drainage
Proper drainage is of utmost importance to the long-term health of your roof so pay a lot of attention to the downspouts on the deck of the roof and whether or not they are clogged with leaves or other debris as the seasons change. If the gutters get blocked the water will back up onto your roof and despite what most homeowners think, water carries a lot of weight and over time can crack roofing shingles or cause fungus to grow in between, ultimately driving them apart.
Beware Of Ice Dam Formation
As any good roofing company will tell you, ice dams are ridges of frozen water that form on the sides and surface of roofs and they block downspouts as well as cause algae and fungus to grow, weakening the roofing shingles. During the colder months check your roof for ice dams and break them with a small shovel or relevant tool to prevent water from leaking into your walls inside. Ice dams can affect the way insulation measures work in your home thereby hiking up your energy and gas bills. Invest in de-icers or specialized snow rakes to melt and scrape away ice dam formations to protect your roof through the years.
Infestations
Predatory plants like lichen, moss, certain types of ivy and mold can multiply quickly and take over your roof and they can grow into cracks in the roofing material caused by rain or snow. Make a point of regularly removing all plant growth from your roof (especially if it is unplanned and not like a roof garden at all).
Extend the concept of landscaping to your roof when you get your garden or yard landscaped as fallen leaves, branches and other debris can build up quickly especially during fall. Trees should be trimmed in the opposite direction from the roof to minimize leaves and twigs from gathering on there.
Sealants
Many commercial roofers recommend investing in sealants over your roof especially if you fear changes in weather can damage the surface of the roof and cause loss of heat and other insulation problems. Sealants can prevent moisture building up on the edges of the roof and in areas like vents and other openings and coatings are carried out over the entire roof or partially such as in the case of a fiberglass coating that can completely block out snow and rainwater causing it to slide off. If the roofing material has been impaired, a roof coating can recreate a more even surface with no holes or cracks.
