When you own a home, you’ll never get bored. Most homeowners have a never-ending list of home maintenance projects, from outside landscaping to preventative roof maintenance.
If you put off mowing your lawn for the week, it won’t put you at risk. You’ll have longer grass when you start the mower, but it won’t impact the integrity of your lawn.
Not so with your roof. Preventative roof maintenance helps prolong the life of your roof. It also ensures your roof can protect your home from what the weather will dish out throughout the year.
Considering a new roof can cost thousands of dollars, it’s wise to practice good preventative roof maintenance skills and keep your roof in good condition for as long as possible.
What does that look like?
Visual Inspection
Home maintenance is often structured around habits. After dinner, you clean the dishes and wipe down the counters. You take note of the dripping faucet and add it to your to-do list.
You don’t need to climb up on your roof to inspect your roof. Just make it a regular habit to glance up and take note of potential problems. Are there tree limbs hanging over the house? Can you see any visible signs of a problem? If you notice anything unusual, it’s worth pulling a ladder out and taking a closer look.
Also, be more aware after large storms. Heavy wind, record-setting rain, and ice and snow can all take a toll on your roof, even if it’s new. Glancing up might help you notice a dented gutter that’s clogged and overflowing. Roofs are designed to stay free and clear of debris and buildup. If water stands too long in any one space, it can lead to problems down the road, including algae, mildew, mold, and leaks.
Gutter Maintenance
Gutters and roofs go together like peanut butter and jelly. They complement each other beautifully.
Gutters are very effective at moving water away from your roof, keeping it out of harm’s way. When the water has nowhere to go, however, it can pool along the edges of the roof and slowly deteriorate the tiles, facia, and other materials.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, rain and moisture are a part of our daily lives. If your home’s gutters aren’t working, there will be no place for the water to go. Gutters help control moisture so algae and mildew don’t build up, and they help prevent water from moving underneath shingles and into the eaves. A clogged gutter isn’t doing its job effectively. Add it to your home maintenance list or call in an expert to maintain your gutters for you.
Trim Your Trees
Look up at that giant tree in your front yard. Now look at the fruit trees in the back. They look tall and majestic, creating curb appeal and aesthetics every hour of the day.
Yet as much as we love our trees, they can also cause a lot of extra maintenance projects. While you might notice the piles of leaves and downed limbs in your yard, don’t forget to look up occasionally and see what’s happening on your roof.
If leaves don’t blow off the roof’s surface naturally, moisture can become trapped underneath. This allows more moisture to build, especially in vulnerable places. One small leak can do extensive damage as it trails its way down into your attic, along wallboards, and into different rooms in your home.
While it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your trees throughout the year, it’s even more imperative after a storm. Notice branches that might be weaker and more at risk of falling onto your house. Don’t wait for an accident, get it fixed right away.
Ventilation
Want to get the most out of your roof? One of the top reasons roofs age prematurely is poor attic ventilation.
As the temperatures climb in the summertime, the attic controls the overall temperature of your home. Without proper airflow, it can easily climb to 160 degrees and beyond. This heated air becomes stifling, penetrating everything it comes in contact with. It degrades your insulation, damages wallboards and paint, and can warp rafters and lead to cracks.
Poor attic ventilation can be a problem when winter comes too. You close up your house to ward off the cold. That allows moisture from your household appliances and daily activities to build up and accumulate. If the attic is improperly ventilated, moisture clings to the walls and roof, eventually falling onto the insulation and reducing efficiency.
Want an easy preventative roof maintenance tip to check your ventilation? On the coldest days of the year when it’s frosty or it’s recently snowed, look up. Do you see spots on the shingles that are clear? It could be a sign of a ventilation problem. If heat is leaking out, check your attic to see if there’s a bigger problem.
Think you might have an issue with your ventilation? Have your roof professionally inspected by a certified contractor.
Preparing for a Long Life
A roof is designed to stand strong and protect your home for many years. When installed correctly and properly maintained, you can expect years of protection. Interstate Roofing offers up to 15 years of workmanship warranty, extended factory warranties for up to 20 years of labor coverage, and lifetime material coverage.
Being aware means you notice potential problems sooner, and take action quicker to prevent minor issues from becoming more extreme problems. The best approach to preventative roof maintenance is a proactive one. A loose or missing tile might not seem like an emergency. But over time, moisture can build under the decking, allowing rot to set in and damage to grow.
Don’t wait for bigger problems to show. Instead, call a certified contractor for a roof inspection today. A yearly roof inspection is a great way to get professional advice on the condition of your roof. We’ll alert you to potential problems to watch for and make minor corrections to keep it in good condition. It’s the best way to ensure you prolong the life of your roof indefinitely.