4 Tips for keeping your roof in top shape
May 10, 2022
Learn what you need to do to keep your roof in top shape
The roof is one of the most important parts of any house. Unfortunately, it is not indestructible, and if you want it to serve its purpose for many years to come, you simply have to put a lot of time and effort into roofing maintenance.
Learn what you need to do to keep your roof in top shape, ranging from maintaining your gutters and trimming overhanging branches to keeping it clean and inspecting the shingles regularly.
1. Trim Overhanging Branches
Your roof is under constant attack from falling leaves, water, and debris. In addition to that, overhanging branches can also damage your roof.
Thus, you should keep your tree branches trimmed and away from your roof. If there are trees in your yard that are close to your roof, you should start trimming them as soon as possible.
2. Inspect and Repair Broken Shingles
If you notice a cracked or missing shingle, you should inspect the rest of the roof to make sure that the issue doesn’t lie with a damaged piece of wood or a leaky nail. Although most homeowners don’t worry about small cracks on their shingles, it is important that you take them seriously. The more time passes, the bigger the crack becomes and the weaker the shingle becomes.
3. Clean the Roof Regularly
In addition to repairing damaged shingles, you should also clean your roof regularly. This will not only help you spot any issues faster, but it will also prolong its lifespan.
When should you clean your roof? Roofs are typically cleaned in the Spring and Autumn to keep them free of debris, moss, algae, lichen and anything else that could potentially damage it.
When washing your roof, you should use a pressure washer with nozzles that are at least angled 30 degrees downwards. You should always work from the top of the roof down because this will prevent water from leaking in between shingles. You should also avoid using detergents or bleach because these substances can corrode metal fasteners and shingle finishes. Instead, you should use soapy water and a soft brush.
4. Clean Gutters and Downspouts Regularly
Even if you clean your roof regularly, your gutters can still become clogged with leaves and debris. This can create a lot of problems for the roof because water will not be able to flow away from it easily. That is why you should clean your gutters and downspouts at least once every 6 months.
If you don’t know how to do it yourself, you should hire a professional gutter cleaning service. The best thing about hiring a professional is that they will clean not only your gutters but also your roof. You might also consider rubber gutter relining and repair to protect your gutters.
4 Tips for keeping your roof in top shape/ SHI