10 Roof Maintenance and Care Tips

The cost of roof repairs and replacements can be expensive depending on how severe the damage is. Yet, this big expense can be avoided if you spend just several minutes at least twice a year to check your roof, do routine maintenance, and look for signs of possible damage that could worsen if not repaired immediately.

In roof maintenance, there are several things you can do to ensure that your roof is still in good condition:

1. Conduct roof inspections in the early spring and late fall. Look for damaged, loose or curling shingles, or broken roof tiles. It is easier and less expensive to replace several shingles of roof tiles than to replace an entire portion of your roof because of the damage caused by lack of maintenance.

2. Check if flashings are solid and roof penetrations are in good condition. If you see any signs of leakage or wear and tear, have them checked by a professional service provider so that they can take proper action.

3. While conducting inspection on your roof, it is also a good time to clean your roof including the downspouts and gutters. Remove leaves and any debris that can clog water. Check water guards also in your gutter if they are not clogged or damaged.

4. If there are tree branches that touch your roof, have them trimmed. Leaves and branches can damage your roof.

5. Remove unwanted growth in your roof like moss, algae, and mildew which can trap moisture and cause wear and tear. If there is too much growth, it is best to leave the job to a contractor who specializes in this type of work. Alternatively, you can also install control strips to prevent further growth.

6. Check for small holes in your roof or gutter. If there are small holes on your roof because of the installation, make sure that they are properly sealed.

7. Check metal parts of your roof for rust. If there are any, brush up the rust using a wire brush then apply primer and paint.

8. If you see any dark spots on your roof, they could be a sign of possible leakage. Fix them immediately before they get bigger.

9. While doing routine check-up, stay out of the roof as much as possible. Use a ladder instead because walking on the roof surface can possibly damage it.

10. Roof maintenance could be a dangerous thing if you do not employ safety measures. Be sure to have a safety harnesses when you climb up your roof. Or better, just leave the job to a professional service provider.

Roof maintenance is one of the most often-neglected maintenance works at home but the most expensive to repair once damage has already occurred. It is always good to take care of things while the damage is still small because once it gets big like any leakage and missing shingles or roof tiles, you could pay a large sum of money on repairs and replacement.

By observing the above tips on how to maintain your roof, you will be able to avoid incurring costly repairs.