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Essential Annual Roof Maintenance For Every Homeowner

Your roof system is the most important part of keeping your home and your family protected. Without the right maintenance, potential problems can affect how well your roof system performs. Regular seasonal inspections of all aspects of your roofing system can help you to preserve your home and protect your roof from expensive damage and repairs.

Problems with your roof can cause problems with your whole home. If small issues like peeling shingles or damaged gutters are not taken care of quickly, water damage can spread and result in extensive damage. Your roof maintenance needs to be a seasonal chore that is taken seriously for the protection of your whole home.

When storms hit, your roof is the most important part of your home that helps to keep you safe and secure. Allowing even the smallest spots of damage to remain untended can let moisture, dirt, and debris invade the inner core of your roof. This often leads to leaks and expensive repair bills.

If you have damage to your roof it’s a good idea to call in the professionals like the experts at City Seamless Roofing without delay. To help keep your roof system in the best shape we have listed a few essential items that should be added to every homeowner’s seasonal roof maintenance list.

Inspection

At the end of each season and following any storms you should take a walk around your home and check on the condition of your roof. Severe weather has the potential to do a lot of damage to your home’s roofing system. High winds can peel back or loosen shingles, pull gutters away from their moorings and lead to potential leaks that can get out of hand.

Check for any loose or damaged shingles and make repairs as soon as possible. Shingles that are damaged due to high winds or falling debris can put your entire roofing system in jeopardy. When a shingle becomes lifted from the main roof it can allow for dirt and moisture to build up, causing mold and mildew to form which can cause health risks.

Get up in your attic and check for any water seepage, light or drafts that need to be closed up. Taking a look from the inside out is a unique opportunity to find problems before they get out of hand. You may be able to see damage or small leaks easier from this perspective rather than trying to spot issues from the ground looking up.

It’s a good idea to get up on your roof and check the condition of the flashings around your chimney, skylights, and vents where water can seep in and cause mold and structural damage. These areas need to be repaired and resealed quickly to minimize water damage that can grow into expensive leaks.

Repairs

It’s never a good idea to put off repairs when it comes to your roof. Leaving your roof exposed to water and the elements can quickly result in further damage and higher repair costs.

Take care of the small repairs yourself if possible to do so safely. It’s always a risk to get up on your roof so it’s important to take the most care with smaller repairs. If you can take down damaged shingles, it’s a good idea to get it done as soon as you can.

If your roof has been severely damaged you should call in the professionals to help. They can take care of more complex repair work and advise you on the overall condition of your roof.

Gutters

Your gutters are an important part of your roof system. As the flow of water is sluiced off of your roof during a storm your gutters provide an important system of directing water away from your home.

Inspect your gutters at the end of each season to make sure that they are secured properly and in good condition. If your gutters are not secured properly to your roof you could end up allowing water and debris to permeate your home and foundation.

After the fall you should take time to clean your gutters of all leaves and debris. When your roof has no way to direct water away from the structure, you leave yourself open to possible moisture issues.

 

roof maintenance

 

Mold & Moss

If you live in a wetter climate you might notice a buildup of mold or moss on your roof. It’s important to remove any spots as quickly as possible. Although moss itself should not cause any permanent damage, it can hold extra moisture adding unnecessary stress on the structure of your roof.

Use an approved moss and mold product to help you break up the problem areas and gently remove it with a soft-bristled broom. You can do this yourself if the area is small but you need to call in the professionals to help you if the coverage is extensive.

Never use a power washer to remove moss or mold as this can cause damage to your shingles. The extreme pressure of the water flow from a power washer can do more harm than good to your roof. It can push water up under your shingles or further loosen areas that are already weakened by weather and age.

Debris

After a storm, you should always check your roof for any debris. Remove any branches or other material that has been blown up onto your roof. Heavy debris can cause structural problems if not quickly removed from your roof.

Untended debris can cause moisture buildup by essentially creating a water dam on your roof. The design of your roof is specific to allow for the easy flow of water away from your roof and foundation. Any blockage to this flow can cause an issue with moisture, mold, and mildew.

Your roof is the most important part of your home and creates a strong barrier between you and the elements. Make sure that you are taking good care of all of your roofing systems by adding these seasonal chores to your home maintenance list.