What is roof maintenance? Roof maintenance refers to actions you take to keep your roof in excellent shape while preventing problems. Your home’s roof keeps out the elements and insulates your home, which is why it’s so important to focus on roof maintenance.
Take a look at these seven roof maintenance tips from Virginia Roof Pros to extend your roof’s life and protect your home.
1. Do a Regular Check for Damage
Assessing the state of your roof represents a critical first step in roof maintenance. The experts recommend that you inspect your roof from the ground twice a year. Make sure that you look for damaged:
- Shingles
- Gutters
- Drip edges (the edging that runs along the perimeter of your roof and directs water into gutters)
- Fasteners (the nails, screws, or bolts that secure shingles to the roof)
- Flashing (the thin sheets of metal on top of your roof that redirect water away from valleys or crevices in your roof)
If you see signs of damage, call a roofing contractor for inspection and repair.
2. Keep Trees Away from Your Roof
Some roof maintenance involves protecting your roof by removing possible sources of damage. Keeping nearby trees trimmed prevents branches from dragging against shingles or hitting your roof. Trees cause a lot of damage in storms, so well-maintained trees mean a well-maintained roof.
3. Ensure Your Gutters Are Clean
Keeping your gutters clear works to prevent damage to your roof. Generally, gutters require cleaning multiple times a year, though this varies by property. Checking your gutters for signs of a backup and regularly clearing them helps keep your roof in good condition.
4. Remove Algae or Moss
Algae and moss both grow on roofs if given the chance. These organisms damage shingles and cause additional problems. Fortunately, both moss and algae are preventable. Trimming back tree branches helps keep algae and moss off your roof. You should also ventilate your attic properly to facilitate airflow.
5. Ensure Proper Ventilation
Proper insulation is your best safeguard against heat and moisture. An ideal ventilation system should have a gap-free layer of insulation on the floor of the attic. You should also consider a vapor retarder under the insulation. Open, well vented spaces that allow air to pass freely with at least 1 inch between roof sheathing is also recommended.
6. Check the Condition of Your Caulking
Roof installers use caulking to seal your flashings. However, sometimes they use low-grade caulking. This leads to a poor seal. If you notice the seals cracking or pulling away, take steps to get them resealed to prevent water damage.
7. Handle Rust on Your Roof
Rust develops on some metal roofs, which causes a big problem if it goes unaddressed. Fortunately, roof maintenance handles rust. Depending upon the amount of rust, consider:
- Removing and replacing rusty screws
- Getting rid of rust with a wire brush
Getting rid of rust quickly prevents it from spreading further across a metal roof. This puts a stop to larger problems, such as a portion of the roof rusting through completely.
Get Help Handling Roof Maintenance
You don’t have to handle roof maintenance or repairs on your own. Roof Pros of Virginia provides roof repair services to Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton Roads, Chesapeake, Hampton, and Suffolk, VA.
As a factory-certified GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor, we’re here to help with your family’s needs. Call Roof Pros of Virginia at (800) ROOF PROS (766-3776) today! We’ll answer your questions about roof maintenance and assess your unique needs.
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