As a homeowner, you know there always seems to be something around your home that is in need of attention, whether it is a repair that is needed, a replacement of something, changing lightbulbs around your home, yard work, decluttering and general organizing, and so much more. One project that you may not consider too often, or at least until there is actually a sign of trouble, is the maintenance of your roof. With some regular attention, your roof can last a very long time, and if you are proactive in caring for your roofing materials, then you can quite often fix and repair issues, once they begin. By making quick and efficient repairs, you will be able to avoid catastrophic projects from occurring with your home’s roof.
Below you will find a short list of things that you can do on a regular basis to take optimum care of your roof.
- Inspect your roof about every 3-6 months, or after any significant storm that passes over your home. When you perform a visual inspection, you will be able to spot problematic issues, such as; missing shingles, dented gutters, loose flashing, tree limbs along the surface, and other problems that might be visible.
- Remove overhanging tree branches, if at all possible. When you are able to trim overhanging branches, it will be less likely that debris will end up on your roof’s surface, or be able damage your roofline from strong winds.
- Ensure gutters and downspouts are clean and free from debris. Gutters run rainwater, and other forms of moisture, away from your roof and your home. If the gutters are clogged with debris, then the runoff water will find some other way to flow, which could be damaging to your roofing materials.
- Check inside your attic space for signs of water leaks, on a regular basis. You might be able to spot a water leak from inside the home, that you may not see easily from the outside. Look for dark spots on your attic’s ceiling, or other signs of water damage. Make necessary repairs if needed.
- Check the flashing around the joints, and around other edges, along the surface of your roof. Flashing is a building material that can be found around vent pipes, around skylights, or around various pitches on your roof. If you see flashing that has become dislodged, then repair or replace it as soon as possible.
- Inspect soffit vents around your home. Soffits are pieces of wood or metal that are underneath your roof, located between the roofline and the outside walls of your home. If rotted or warped wood is found, or if areas of the soffit have become dislodged, then repair or replace them as soon as possible.
A little bit of regular maintenance on your roofing materials can make a significant difference, in terms of protecting the integrity of your building materials and prolonging the life expectancy of your roof. Any problems that arise with your roof should be attended to as quickly as possible, because roofing problems will only get worse over time. Regular maintenance is the most proactive activity that you can do, in order to protect the roof of your home.