Your home is your castle. And yet, even castles need a bit of tender love and care from time to time. While much of your attention may be directed to the interior of the house or even the curb appeal outside, there are areas of the home that still require regular inspections and upkeep. The roof is one such area that absolutely needs to receive regular maintenance. In many ways, roof maintenance is one of the most important kinds of TLC you can show your house. Not only will it help extend the life of the roof, but it will help you remain comfortable within the house for longer as well. But what is roof maintenance, and why is it important? Here is everything you need to know about the essential household task.
What is Roof Maintenance?
Similar to other areas of your home, your roof will experience some general wear and tear. Your roof goes through a great deal over a year. It handles rain, heavy wind, and even occasionally some snow. On top of it, the constant sunshine can also cause some damage over time, as does the fluctuation of temperatures in the area.
It may seem like the roof is under constant attack, but shingles of various materials are designed to handle this. It is why new roof installations may only need to be done every few decades. And even then, with proper maintenance, you can extend the life of your roof even longer.
With roof maintenance, you can spot developing issues with the roof in the early stages. This makes it easier to repair the problems and, in the end, saves you a considerable amount of money. Even the smallest issues, when left untreated, can turn into serious problems later on down the line. It is what is roof maintenance and why is it such a critical part of taking care of your entire home.
Common Issues Found
During routine inspections, the most common issues usually revolve around some shingles that may have been damaged and are now allowing moisture to seep in under the damaged area. After a heavy storm, some shingles can pull up from the surface, and even a fraction of wiggle room is all it takes for moisture to begin pushing in.
Other shingles might be damaged, or there might be cracks around where the shingles connect with your home’s chimney. Finding gaps or some damage where the shingles connect with other building materials is a common issue, and yet, thankfully, it can be easily corrected when caught early on.
Basic Cleaning
On top of inspecting the roof and finding some problem shingles and maybe a bit of damage, your roof will need basic cleaning. That doesn’t mean breaking out the power washer, though. Depending on the roofing material and the age of the shingles, a power washer may actually cause more damage than anything else. The best way to determine whether power washing is a viable option is to ask your roofing inspector when they come by and look over the roof.
Instead, general cleaning will entail removing debris on the roof, such as twigs and branches that may have fallen onto your home. You don’t want the added weight, and as the branch begins to decompose, it will not only begin to take on weight, but it will constantly hold moisture to the roof, which can damage the shingles, the membrane underneath, and even seep down in the wood of the roof.
Your gutters also need to be cleaned. Ideally, this needs to be done twice a year (usually in the fall and spring). Gutters, when left uncleaned, can lead to two problems. First, water will not flow properly in the gutters, which then hold the water in place within the shingle, or it may even push the water back up under overhanging shingles, leading to rot and mold. The other issue is the gutter will begin to take on unnecessary weight. While the aluminum or composite materials used for gutters are relatively strong and durable, gutters are not designed to hold a significant amount of weight. This means, over time, the gutters may begin to pull away from the siding of your home, which will cause all kinds of problems.
Avoid these kinds of issues by regularly cleaning out the gutters.
Problems If You Avoid Roof Maintenance
It’s nearly impossible to see what’s going on with your roof without regular inspections. The roof may look fine from your front porch, but in reality, there might be damp spots or breaks within the shingles that are taking in water every time it rains, and the wind and various temperature changes only increase the damaged area. Letting this fester can result in costly repair bills, not to mention your utility bills will increase due to the HVAC system running harder to cool and heat your property.
Schedule Your Roof Inspection Today
When was the last time you had your roof inspected? If you can’t remember or know it hasn’t been inspected since you purchased the home, it is important to schedule one right away. Roofs have a way of looking good from the ground, but that can deliver a false sense of security. Soft and damaged shingles are not instantly obvious, especially to the untrained eye. And yet, a patch of soft shingles may be leaking water into your attic or developing mold and rot, which in turn can damage the underside of the roof. Repairing these kinds of issues, when left unaddressed, quickly becomes expensive and, instead of paying for a small repair, you might be stuck replacing the entire roof. Avoid these kinds of costly repairs by scheduling your roof inspection today. Our team here at Greensboro Roofing Specialists looks forward to speaking with you and doing everything possible to ensure you have a strong and beautiful roof.