Performing basic roof maintenance may help prolong the life of your roof. We covered gutter maintenance in a previous blog and cleaning your gutters is an important step in maintaining your roof’s integrity. In addition to checking your gutters, listed below are some basics of roof maintenance to help prolong the life cycle of your roof.
Before we begin with the basics, we'll start off with "Where is Watson?"
Watson is our family dog and he is hiding in one of the pictures below. We like to put him somewhere in every blog!
Basic roof maintenance begins with a visual inspection of your shingles. If you are comfortable on a ladder this can be a DIY activity but if not, you can always call a professional (Booth Brothers is a great choice!)
Look for missing or cracked or curling shingles. Cracked shingles are caused by thermal expansion. When temperatures get hot, shingles expand. When the temperature goes back down, the material contracts causing cracking or curling. Cracks allow water to seep into your shingles which causes damage to your underlayment, decking and eventually your attic.
Check for moss, lichen and algae. If you find signs of these the roof should be treated/cleaned.
Moss can damage the roof by growing in the gaps and soaking up water. Moss can also cause gutter blockage and drainage problems by falling off the roof and can also spread to the walls and other areas of the house.
Tree branches, leaves and debris should be removed from your roof. If you have trees that hang over or near your roof the best thing to do would be to have them trimmed.
As branches scrape against your roof shingles on windy days, they can strip off layers of asphalt. Leaves falling from trees overhanging your roof can lead to mold and deterioration of your shingles.
After you’ve checked the outside of your roof, take a look in the attic for any signs of water damage or leaking. Signs of moisture may indicate a problem with ventilation.
What if you have a flat roof? Most of the same steps apply such as checking flashing (or flanges) around any pipes or other objects protruding through the roof, checking for debris, and checking for any water spots in the attic. Flat roofs should be re-coated about every 5 years or so to maintain the performance of the roof.
Did you find Watson in one of the pictures above?
Ready for a Professional Roof Consultation?
Contact Booth Brothers Construction!
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