Many homeowners think they don’t need to pay attention to their roofs unless it is leaking or damaged. However, the truth is that keeping up with regular maintenance is key for both old and new roofs. So, how do you maintain your roof the right way so your investment lasts as long as possible? You’ve come to the right place for help.
Below, you’ll learn the most important roof maintenance tasks to keep your home protected against the elements. If maintenance is no longer enough, then it’s time to get in touch.
Schedule roof repairs or a replacement by calling 425-881-9771 or contact us online.
How Do You Maintain Your Roof? 7 Tasks to Add to Your To-Do List
To help ensure that your roof lasts as long as possible without the need for repairs or a replacement, make sure you do these maintenance tasks regularly.
1. Check for Signs of Damage Inside
Sometimes, roof damage isn’t easily visible from the outside of your home. That’s why it’s important to check inside your attic for signs of water damage a few times per year.
Some of the most common signs of water damage in the attic include:
- Water stains
- Wet insulation
- Mold growth
- Excessive light shining through
- Structural damage
If you notice any of these issues, contact our roofing experts as soon as possible.
2. Clean Your Gutters
Your gutters keep rainwater flowing away from your home, which keeps the roof dry. If your gutters get too clogged, water can back up onto your roof, sitting on your shingles and eating away at the surface. When that happens, it’s only a matter of time before leaks develop.
You can help prevent this by safely cleaning your gutters a few times per year to prevent clogs and keep your roof safe.
3. Check for Shingle Damage
3. Check for Shingle DamageAnother important maintenance task is to check your shingles a few times per year. Standing on the ground outside your home, you can look at your shingles to see if you notice any areas that are damaged or missing.
If you notice significant damage or that the damage is getting worse between the checks, have us come out to give your roof a full inspection.
4. Remove Snow and Debris From Your Roof
Throughout the course of the year, debris like sticks and leaves will start to gather on your roof. In the winter, snow can also stick to your roof. To help prevent damage and excess weight sitting on your roof, we recommend using a snow roof rake or roof leaf rake to remove the debris.
If you have a hard time remembering to do this, plan to remove debris during your gutter cleaning sessions.
5. Trim Trees Around Your Roof
One of the most common causes of roof damage is when heavy tree limbs fall on your roof during a storm. You can help prevent this damage by regularly trimming back overhanging trees so they’re less likely to fall on your shingles.
Doing this can also help prevent small debris from landing on your roof, so there is less to clean off throughout the year.
6. Remove Mold and Moss From Your Roof
6. Remove Mold and Moss From Your Roof Have you ever looked up at your roof and noticed green spots on your shingles? Algae, moss, and mold can grow on your roof if you don’t keep up with regular maintenance tasks. Mold and moss thrive in wet areas, so when they develop on your roof, it can be a sign of a leak.
Beyond being a bit of an eyesore, moss and mold can also take root on your roof, eventually causing your shingles to lift up, leaving your home vulnerable to damage. We recommend safely removing the mold as soon as you notice it.
7. Schedule Regular Roof Inspections
Even if you keep up with all of these maintenance tasks, there is still a chance your roof will develop issues. To help spot them before they get more serious, hire an experienced roofing company, like our crew at Larry Haight’s Residential Roofing Company, to inspect your roof once a year or immediately after a strong storm.
We will be able to identify any areas of concern and make repairs before they get more serious.
Make Sure Your Roof Is in Good Hands
We hope after reading this post, you can answer the question, “How do you maintain your roof?” Keeping up with these tasks can help prolong your roof’s lifespan and keep your home safe. Our trusted professionals can help your understand when you should replace a roof and if it comes to a full roof replacement, explain how our high quality roofing service works. Learn more roofing terms to be even more prepared.
To schedule an inspection, please call 425-881-9771 or contact us online.