As important as the roof on your house is, it can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to regular maintenance and repair. Follow these 12 roof maintenance tips to keep your roof in tip-top shape for years to come.
- Unclog your gutters. Clogged gutters are one of the most common causes of leaky roofs. Clean the gutters on a regular basis to remove the leaves and debris that can get stuck in your gutters and cause clogs all year round.
- Inspect your shingles. Even correctly-installed shingles may begin to crack over time and exposure to the elements. Checking periodically to make sure there are no problems will save you the cost and inconvenience of discovering a major issue only when your roof starts to leak.
- Prevent dry rot. Dry rot occurs from lack of ventilation, which then leads to water becoming trapped and causing the perfect conditions for the rot to form. You can prevent dry rot by installing a soffit vent and drilling holes to allow adequate airflow.
- Hose down your roof. A great, quick way to check for leaks is to run water from a garden hose over the roof using the spray nozzle. This will help you pinpoint small cracks or leaks.
- Check your valleys. A valley, or ridge, is the joining spot of two roofs. Because this is where the natural accumulation of snow and debris tends to occur most, a valley can be a problem spot on the roof unless you check it and clear away debris regularly.
- Nip leaks in the bud. Even a tiny leak has the potential to become a major problem. As tempting as it may be to just get a bucket for the water to drip into, you should contact a roofing contractor to get the leak repaired as soon as you notice it.
- Prevent ice buildup. Ice can be a sign of future problems if it accumulates on your roof for an extended period of time. Rain and ice shields and a drip edge can help melt the ice buildup away without creating a leak. Preventing ice dams can be the best step you take in defending your roof from damage.
- Trim tree branches. Tree branches that are too close to your roof can potentially fall off and cause damage to your shingles. Trimming those branches before they get to be a problem can save your roof from a terrible fate, but make sure to let a professional do the trimming, as it is a very dangerous job.
- Lose the moss. If you spot any moss growing on your roof, get rid of it as soon as possible. To remove the moss, apply a moss solution to the roof and use a long-handled brush to scrub it away.
- Safety first! Never try to repair a roof if it is raining, snowing, or icy. Falling off a roof can have serious, even deadly, consequences.
- Vet your roofer. Unfortunately, many fly-by-night roofing companies exist solely to make a profit off of their victims while doing shoddy work, or sometimes no work at all, on a client’s roof. Avoid this scam by making sure to properly research a roofing agency you use for repairs or roof replacement.
- Schedule regular inspections. Once a year, have a professional roofing contractor over to inspect your roof for any signs of trouble you may have missed. Think of it as your roof’s annual checkup!
