Your roof’s got an important job. It’s there to do a lot; like preventing your most important people and things from getting drenched in the rain–or baked under the sun! That’s why you should make sure to keep it from falling under the weather and eventually apart.
But tending to your roof isn’t as simple as its design might suggest it’d be. People rarely ask about or consider the preventive maintenance necessary to keep a roof in good condition—a factor that can prevent easy damage, such as holes that could lead to leaks and even worse: water damage.
You should think about getting your roof repaired regularly, as it is an especially vulnerable part of the house when extreme weather conditions are involved. Not even just extreme conditions either! Roofs can degrade from a number of different factors, including falling debris from trees, moisture, as well as something as simple as the seasons changing.
You want to maintain your roof for its purpose, of course—but you also want it looking good. That’s because a clean and well-maintained roof shows that not only are you responsible about taking care of things around the house; but it demonstrates that you’re an attentive homeowner who doesn’t put off repairs just because they’re inconvenient or expensive. The aesthetic of your home affects how well it functions, so you shouldn’t let aesthetics and functionality diminish with the change from Winter to Spring.
If you give your roof regular and careful attention, you will likely encounter few problems during its lifetime. It is time to be rid of that nagging worry—the one where you find yourself wondering whether your house will come crashing down on your head, or dripping all that melted snow onto your family during Spring Break.
But different types of roofs require different methods for maintenance, so read on if you’re new to roofing and we’ll tell you everything you need to know!
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
It’s easy to overlook the most obvious preventive measure for your roofing system: a visual inspection. Although it may appear that everything is going well when you view your roof from a distance, upon closer inspection you might discover several problems that could cause serious trouble in the future.
How often you need to inspect your roof depends in part on what kind of material it is (for example, wood might deteriorate more quickly than metal, especially when it is wet out), but a visual inspection after certain weather-related disasters, such as lightning, fires, hail storms, or even volcanic ash, will give you peace of mind. You might be skeptical, but even if there’s no volcano nearby, the ash that remains after a volcanic eruption can be propelled by winds thousands of miles away and settle on your roof.
While you’re doing that routine inspection, you should check for holes in your roof after the ice clears, cracks that have opened up, and any rust spots or missing shingles. Sealing problems are also a major concern for any homeowner, as they require immediate attention to avoid further damage. To avoid creating problems or forgetting things when you make repairs on your roof, keep a checklist of issues and materials.
The upkeep of a roof should be something almost anyone can do on their own. A DIY project such as cleaning up debris doesn’t always require a professional’s expertise, whereas something like sealing off small cracks does, so use your best judgment and your own two hands to your advantage!
After a massive storm, removing water and performing damage assessments can be done by just about anyone. But if the damage is too high or you’re not sure about something you see—call for expert repair services or roofing/building contractors before installing a replacement. You can ask your company for practical advice as well as a step-by-step program you can follow that will extend the life of your home.
In order to ensure the safety of a traditional roof, it is necessary to check for missing shingles. Although this is an easy way to check for damage, it should be done with care because brittle shingles cannot easily be removed without lifting them.
A strong wind can blow shingles off your roof and make holes, so if you are noticing cracks on the surface of your home’s exterior, it is a good idea to contact a professional for assistance. You should check your roof after every significant storm. Even without any rain, a storm can cause serious trouble for your roof by pulling shingles off.
Although roof inspections are simpler than many other building evaluations, you still must approach them seriously.
Flat roofs are the last common type of roof, and they’re also usually poorly insulated. This means that flat roofs often sag or buckle with time due to poor insulation—a phenomenon known as “blowing.” Be sure to check the roof for any signs of damage during a routine inspection, but do not inspect it by yourself, because flat roofs are dangerous when compromised and can cause serious injury if structures fail.
For a free estimate of the damage and necessary repair work, contact your local residential roofing contractor.
On our list of the most durable roofing materials, we have metal roofs, which are easier to maintain while being more durable than other choices. Regular maintenance is, however, still necessary to keep up with accumulating debris and the damage they may cause, because cold temperatures and spring showers mean lots of rust.
A qualified roofing contractor or repairman is the best source of advice for making any necessary restorations and adjustments to your roof in order to fix problems that might occur after a disaster.
Surface Cleaning
Most roofs will benefit from general cleaning, as well as periodic maintenance. This helps prevent more serious issues and ensures that the system is working properly and will prevent further damages to the rest of your home.
We’ve talked about the different types of roofing materials and what they need in terms of routine maintenance, now let’s talk about cleaning.
Fortunately, washing your roofing system is something most homeowners can handle.
Maintaining a clean and debris-free roof will extend its life by preventing holes or leaks that might otherwise require expensive repairs. Leftover moisture on the surface of your roof can be caused by small, seemingly harmless things like loose gravel, leaves, and twigs, even if you don’t have to deal with snow, ice, and sleet. The damage to your property will not only weaken its structure, but also provides the perfect environment for mold growth.
Leaks and Drainage
Drain cleaning is crucial to keeping your roof in good condition, as water from rain or snow must be cleared away from the surface of the roof and sent down pipes. If your gutter isn’t working properly, water won’t be carried away from the foundation of your home. This will cause problems like clogged gutters and moss growth on roofs that can lead to costly repairs.
A good maintenance program includes regular leak prevention steps. At the beginning, a crack may seem like an insignificant inconvenience; however, over time it can become a major problem that endangers the structural integrity of your entire home.
They are easy to spot and prevent, so a general inspection can reveal areas where leaks might occur.
Roof repairmen and your local roofing contractor can add waterproof barriers to prevent leakage into the attic space and protect the joists from damage. This sort of maintenance is also necessary for good drainage.
The most important thing to remember is that regular inspections and cleanings will help extend the life of your roof no matter what material you chose. But, if you’ve got a real preference for quality, then you’re in the right place. Heritage Wholesalers has you covered no matter what roofing style you’re looking for, from traditional shingle roofs, to metal, and beyond.
