The first line of defense for your property is the roof. It shields your home from external elements like extreme weather conditions and rubble. Apart from just protecting you and your family, roofs can be said to provide shelters. That’s entirely correct because can it really be called a house without a roof? For this reason, your roof needs proper maintenance to continually keep you safe and ensure its functionality is intact.
The way roofs are designed the things you don’t see are the ones that cause the most impact. In other words, the obvious signs may not always be the main cause. You don’t always have to wait for rafters to come and examine your roof. It is good if you’ve got the budget for it. However, wouldn’t it be nice to tell if you can tell when your roof is damaged so you can maintain it? Here’s how you can maintain the roof yourself.
- Consistently Clear The Roof of Rubbles and The Gutter
A very easy way to maintain your roof is to rid it of debris. Once you notice that twigs from trees, branches, leaves or other forms of rubbles are piling up on your roof, don’t hesitate to get a ladder and clear it off.
You should also do the same to the gutters as they are an essential part of your roof’s drainage system. Cleaning dirt that has piled up would keep water from settling in delicate areas that could eventually damage the roof. You would be at the receiving end when mold or algae settles on the roof due to accumulated water you failed to clear.
Materials you can use to clean your roof include a water & bleach mixture and hose. When there is mildew on your roof, clean with the mixture and an outdoor mold remover. Avoid using pressure washers as they can lift the shingles and cause further damage to the roof. When you notice mold or mildew on your roof, go around to examine the structural integrity of your roof as it is usually a sign there’s water damage that can cause your roof to rot.
- Check If There Are Missing Shingles
Do a routine inspection of your roof to check if there are missing, curled, warped, or cracked shingles because they are an essential part of your roof’s protection system. You need to make sure all the shingles are properly aligned and replace them where need be. Equity Roofing in Pennsylvania is your go-to contractor if you’re within the state when there is serious damage to the shingle. Check for exposed roof layers to know if there are bald patches and confirm everything is in order.
- Trim Those Trees
We know how much you love green and how it makes your property a picturesque landscape but trees very close to your house can eventually cause more problems for you. When there’s a heavy storm, such trees can easily cause severe damage to the roof, hence, trim or clear branches that threaten the safety of your roof.
- Inspect Flashing and Caulking
Flashing is what helps to close cracks and bends in the roof, so water doesn’t penetrate. You need to check the roof’s flashing including the caulking around chimneys, pipe vents, roof steams, or skylights. It is important for the roof drainage while caulking prevents water from getting into corners.
Examine the caulking for cracks and peeling because any damage can result in water problems not just on the roof but in other areas of your house. So, damaged caulking should be completely removed or replaced. Do note that caulking is not the solution for when the flashing is damaged. Once the flashing is damaged, just go ahead and replace it.
- Pay Attention To The Attic
This can improve your roof’s health and longevity. It is usually easier to detect when there are certain issues with your roof from your attic like leaking. Watch out for dark spots on the walls of your attic and ceilings. They’re signs that can help you quickly detect a leak early enough so you can take necessary actions to prevent mold from growing.
It is also quite easy for you to look out for missing shingles or other types of exposure when you scan the attic’s ceiling for sun rays which serves as an indication that there’s a hole in your roof.
The maintenance of your roof shouldn’t be taken lightly considering its importance to your property. This guide has shown you how to maintain and increase the lifespan of your roof; do well to follow it. When faced with difficult situations, reach out to roofing contractors.
