Roof maintenance might not be the most exciting aspect of homeownership, but it is one of the most important. If your roof is not regularly cleaned and maintained, repairs can become very costly and time-consuming. Everyone eventually needs to replace their roof, but the following maintenance tips will help your roof have a longer and more efficient life.

Check Your Shingles

Checking on your shingles one of the simplest ways to maintain your roof. Look for missing, curling, cracking, and peeling shingles as well as missing granules. Any signs of these should be followed up on as soon as possible, preferably by a roofing contractor who can recommend the necessary repairs.

Get A Professional Inspection

A professional roof inspection will help you spot areas of damage you may have missed as well as teach you tips and tricks for how to maintain the life of your roof by yourself. The roofing professional will also give you a fair idea of how many more years your roof will last in its current condition. Roof inspections are recommended every two years, but to be really proactive in preventing damage, you might want to schedule one for every year.

Check for Leaks In Ceilings and Attic

Water stains or bulging patches in your interior walls, musty odors, and spots in your exterior walls are all indicators of water damage. Some of this damage can be fixed by do-it-yourself repair, but most will need a professional to come in and patch up the damage in the roof.

Keep Gutters and Roof Clean

It’s not a fun job, but keeping your gutters and roof clean is essential to healthy roof maintenance. Cleaning out your gutters helps water flow efficiently away from the roof, while clogged gutters will back water up in and under the structure of your roof. Wear gloves to keep your hands safe from cuts, and even better, enlist the help of an additional person for extra safety. Make sure to use high-quality disposable gloves for this task to ensure optimal protection against hand injuries, skin irritation, and contact with disease-causing germs. And keep the roof clear of moss and mold accumulation with a DIY mixture of equal parts bleach and water. Moss attracts water, rodents, and bugs and can even grow under your shingles, lifting and damaging your roof.

Trim Overhanging Branches

Cutting off branches from overhanging trees might not seem like a pressing matter, but the leaves and debris that can accumulate can wreak havoc on your roof. Limbs of trees can scrape your rooftop, causing damage to the shingles. And loose leaves can clog the gutters leading to ice dams and mold growth. Tree debris will also trap moisture, which can rot your roof!

Patch Up Chimney

Chimneys that are not properly maintained can lose bricks, which can cause damage to the roof and could simply cause the chimney to collapse. Inspect your chimney regularly for cracks and missing mortar and patch up with water repellent sealant.

What If I Have a Roof Warranty?

A roof warranty will typically not be as encompassing as a homeowner would wish. Typically, a roof warranty won’t cover maintenance-related issues as they are seen as preventable. And many warranties require that the homeowner perform maintenance on the roof to keep the warranty coverage valid. Best practices are to review and implement this list regularly and read your roof warranty thoroughly.

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