Did you know that mold can form within 48 hours after a roof leak? If you want to learn about roof maintenance tips to protect your roof, we can help.
In this guide, we’ll go over a roof maintenance checklist.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
Look for Standing Water on a Flat Roof
Flat roofs often have issues with leaks. Debris like leaves and twigs will block roof drains, causing ponding. Ponding can damage a roof. In severe cases, ponding can cause a roof to collapse.
Inspect the Shingles
Look for any damaged or missing shingles on your roof. You’ll want to repair any damaged or missing shingles and watch out for backed-up nails that could cause a leak.
Most manufacturers will offer a free replacement for a defective shingle. Try to catch it within the first five years after the installation.
Trim Overhanging Foliage
Branches hanging too close to your roof can scratch, rub, and gouge roofing materials.
Tree debris and leaves will also collect on your roof and hold moisture, making your roof weak. Make sure you trim trees and get rid of debris on the roof.
Clean Out the Gutters
Clogged gutters will block the water from moving off your roof. Water will end up below your roof eaves and cause damage.
Keep your gutters clear of debris. Add this maintenance task to your monthly checklist in the fall.
Inspect Skylights, Roof Vents, and Pipe Boots
Roof vents, pipe boots, and skylights are penetrations on your roof that need to get inspected. Look for cracks, damage, and loose seals. Squirrels will chew down lead boots and can cause a roof to leak.
Don’t Forget About the Chimney
Missing mortar or cracks on your chimney can cause water to intrude. Make sure you identify these areas early so you can prevent a leak.
If you see an issue, make sure you call a chimney repair service.
Get Proper Ventilation
Moisture and heat can cause your roofing materials to buckle. Insulation can lose its effectiveness.
Your roofing system can become ineffective without proper ventilation.
Watch Out for Streaking and Algae Growth
Make sure you look for color changes on your roof. Fungus, algae, or mold that’s left unchecked can cause roofing material to deteriorate.
Deteriorating materials will shorten the life of the roof. Make sure you get a professional to come in and clean your roof. You could also use an environmentally safe pesticide to get rid of the growths.
Get a Professional Inspection
You’ll want to get an inspection done on your roof each year. This way, you’ll learn about potential issues with your roof system.
You can plan for a future expense and set money aside. When you detect a problem early, you can save a lot of money.
If there are hurricanes or tornadoes, schedule an inspection after the storm. Consider getting an inspection done at least twice a year.
Do a review before the start of summer and two weeks before winter starts. This way, you’ll detect smaller problems before massive changes in the weather.
Check the Attic
Go upstairs with your flashlight to check your attic. Keep the attic as dark as possible at first so you can identify any bits of light slipping through a crack.
You’ll know there’s a crack in your roofing system if you see any light. Next, turn on the light and look for dark spots on the walls. Dark spots reveal there’s water damage occurring from a roof leak.
Remove Ice Dams
Ice dams cause damage to a roof. Winterize your roof to protect it from the elements if you live in a snowy region.
Buy a roof rake and rake off the snow on your roof before it accumulates. If the snowfall is persistent and heavy, consider applying heat strips to your roof. This way, the snow will melt before it turns into an ice dam.
Let the Professionals Walk on Your Roof
Don’t walk on your roof. You could cause lasting damage to your roofing system by accident.
Make sure you ask a roofing professional to inspect your roof instead.
Work With Roofing Professionals
Ask your network to recommend a local roofer. An experienced company will give you a recommendation and an estimate for repairs.
You’ll also want to make sure that the roofers have insurance. Confirm that the roofing contractor has liability insurance and worker’s compensation. Ask to see the certificates.
Understand How the Sun Impacts Your Roof
Over time, sunlight can impact your roof. If you live in a sunny area, UV rays will heat your roofing materials. The heat can dissipate the roofing materials’ protective oils.
If your city or town doesn’t get a lot of sunshine, lichen, moss, and algae can grow more easily.
You can use a reflective roof coating to direct the heat away from the roofing materials. Look for a coating that’s emissive and reflective. Your roof will stay cooler when the sunlight gets redirected.
The coating can last up to 15 years long. You won’t have to worry about re-coating your roof for a while.
Now You Know More About Roof Maintenance
We hope this guide on roof maintenance was helpful. Make it a priority to inspect your roof often.
Clean out the gutters, watch for peeling shingles, and remove snow off your roof. Hire a roofing professional to inspect your roof.
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