The roof of your home is an extremely important structure; after all, the roof protects everything, and everyone, that is underneath it. As a homeowner, it is imperative that you take good care of your roof, and your roofing materials, in order to keep it in good working condition, and be able to extend the life expectancy of the building materials. Regular maintenance is a very important activity for every homeowner, or business owner, to do. Below, you will find some tips that will help you to maintain proper function of your roof, as well as things to look for that may be problematic.
The first activity, that can make a world of difference when relating to your roof, is to do a personal inspection of your roof on a regular basis. You may decide to do this with the changing of the seasons, after a significant storm, or any other time that is easy for you to remember. Simply walk around the perimeter of your home, and look closely at your entire roof. You may even decide to use some binoculars while you are performing this inspection. Look for any missing shingles that may have blown off during heavy winds or rain. Also, look for any shingles that are bent, cracked, or deformed in any other way. Shingles that seem to be unusually shaped, or missing, need to be replaced or repaired, as soon as possible.
Once you have checked for missing or repairable shingles, you should also inspect your roof for clutters of debris, such as; tree limbs, leaves, nests, or anything else that has landed on your rooftop. Debris will sometimes collect in, or along, the edges of your gutters, or in valley areas located on your roof. This debris should be removed, as often and as regular as possible, because collective debris can lead to mold growth or water blockages that can eventually lead to roof malfunctions, over an extended amount of time.
Additionally, look around at the trees and overhanging branches that are located around the perimeter of your home. If possible, you may wish to remove branches that are in close proximity to your roof, because the branches will eventually add to the amount of debris that ends up on your roof, as well as provide for an easy pathway for rodents to climb along your rooftop, too.
Another way that you can maintain the health of your roofing materials is to have the roof cleaned on a regular basis. Most professionals recommend that you clean your roof about every 2-3 years, depending on the amount of vegetation that is in close proximity to your home, and on your own personal preference. Cleaning your roof will rid this area of algae, moss, and any other substance that has developed along the surface. By removing these substances, you are protecting the roofing materials from degrading, due to the effects of the moss or algae, as well as halting further growth that may interfere with the perfect layout of your building materials.
By following these simple suggestions, you will be able to provide optimum care for your roof. When you take the time to maintain your roof in an appropriate and proactive fashion, you will be able to easily spot problems as they arise, or even be able to prevent some problems from occurring in the first place. Your roof is a very important feature of your home, and protecting it will be very beneficial to you, in the long term.