“Okay, how important really is roof maintenance?” Homeowners everywhere ask themselves this question, usually while sitting in the driveway staring at their leaf-covered roof because they’re scared to walk into a home full of screaming kids, dirty laundry, and unwashed dishes. We’ve all been there.
Roofs are one of the most expensive components of our homes, and yet they’re often the most overlooked. Sure, cleaning and maintaining your roof isn’t as exciting as interior decorating, planting new hydrangeas in the garden, or adding a fresh coat of paint to your front door, but it’s necessary.
In order to keep those flowers looking their greatest and healthiest, you water them daily, even twice in the summertime. You use only the best soil on the market, and you make sure to pluck the dead petals so they don't affect the rest of the flower. If those flowers in your garden start to wilt, however sad that may be, they won’t cost you any money. Maybe a bit of ego, but it won’t break the bank.
If your roof on the other hand starts to sag and fall apart like a rotting hydrangea, well, let’s just hope you’ve been saving your kids have been saving their spare change in those piggy banks you got last Christmas, because you’re going to need it.
At RoofCrafters, we repair and replace roofs every year that we know for a fact could’ve been saved with proper maintenance. Your roof is a big investment, and in order to get the best bang for your buck, regular roof maintenance is the best thing you can do. Maintenance as a preventative measure will help you save on repair efforts and costs, and ultimately even avoid a premature tear-off and replacement.
While I promise to fill you in on proper garden upkeep next time, if you have an interest in maintaining your roof and prolonging its lifespan, you’re in the right place. In this article, you’ll learn the definition of professional roofing maintenance, and how to properly maintain your roof. Let’s get started!
What is Professional Roof Maintenance?
Professional roof maintenance consists of having a roofing contractor periodically evaluate the overall health of your roof, paying special attention to the most vulnerable areas, such as the eaves, valleys, vent system, and flashing. While the contractor is conducting maintenance, you can generally expect:
- Minor roof repairs
- Gutter cleaning
- Debris and mold removal
Professional roof maintenance frequency depends on the type of roof you have, however, most homeowners opt for the bi-yearly option. Having your roof inspected and professionally maintained twice a year will give you optimal peace of mind.
How do I Properly Maintain My Roof?
Proper roof maintenance is essential to the longevity of your roof. Once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty easy to do regularly. You can properly maintain your roof by:
- Keeping your gutters clean
- Limiting the amount of moss growth on your roof
- Clearing accumulating debris
- Regular flashing inspections
1. Clean Those Gutters
Gutters are made and designed to collect the water that runs off your roof while directing it away from your foundation. Keeping your gutters clean is especially important because when and if they become clogged, water and debris can potentially back up and enter your roofing material, the siding of your home, and even its interior.
Does any of that appeal to you? No? I didn’t think so! Keeping your gutters clean is of the utmost importance to extending your roof’s lifespan. When extra water collects on your roof, it ages it and breaks down its materials. So, if you notice your gutters have collected more debris than usual lately, go ahead and clean them out in order to keep the water flowing freely.
2. Limit Moss Growth
You wouldn’t think that something as natural and lightweight as moss would affect the longevity of your roof, but it absolutely can. Depending on your region, some roofs can have more moss growth than others. Certainly, if your house is near or under a lot of trees and has a wet or tropical climate, you’re at risk for abundant moss growth.
Okay, what’s so bad about moss? Moss is kind of like a sponge in the sense that it absorbs water. If you have moss on your roof, it’s collecting water every time it rains and in turn, weighing down your roof and affecting its infrastructure. Not to mention, this can severally damage your shingles and other roofing materials. Like your gutters, make sure your roof is clean from any dangerous moss or other green things growing on it in order to help your roof live up to its average life expectancy.
3. Clear Natural Debris
Like moss, any sort of debris that has made its home on your roof is not good. I mean, it’s not like it even pays rent, anyway. So kick it to the curb! Remove that nasty debris at least every 6 months, if not more depending on the vegetation in your area. Some homeowners choose to use a leaf blower for this job, but if you don’t feel comfortable, go ahead and reach out to a local reputable roofing company.
As if debris wasn’t bad enough, low-hanging tree branches are arguably worse. When tree branches rub against the top of your roof, they can damage your shingles and other material beyond roof repair. Be sure to trim those branches; Doing so will help to extend the lifespan of your roof.
Make sure to trim these branches as often as necessary so that they can’t affect your roofing material. Keep them away from your gutters and siding as well. We know, it’s tedious. While your roof may have been a great defense against the elements when it was newly installed, as it ages, it becomes more vulnerable.
4. Inspect Your Flashings
Usually, you can see your flashings from a second-story window. If not, pick a vantage point where you can easily view it. If your flashing appears to be dented, rusted, or even rotting, you need to contact a professional roofing contractor. They’ll come out and do an inspection and come up with a repair or replacement plan.
The little things matter. Your flashing prevents leaks and moisture from entering your home. Be sure to check on it from time to time to ensure that it’s in a good condition, and is continuing to keep your roof operating at its best.
Should I Hire a Professional?
Hiring a professional to conduct bi-yearly maintenance on your roof will help you save on your investment in the long run. It’s one of the most important components of your home, whether you want to or not, you need to take care of it. If you don’t, you’ll be dishing out some serious cash on a new roof prematurely.
In this article, I’ve given you 4 awesome tips on roof maintenance. Now, you know how to keep your gutters clean, limit moss growth, clear debris, and inspect your flashings. I urge you to put this new information to use in the time between professional inspections. When your roof is due for its check-up, schedule an inspection with RoofCrafters, and one of our experts will get you scheduled at your earliest convenience.
If you’d prefer to learn more about the roofing services available to you, check out the extensive resources located in our learning center. I recommend reading “Prolonging the Life of Your Roof” so that you can learn about the different ways you can keep your roof operating at its very best.
