If your roof has reached its lifespan, it would be best to install a new one, especially if it has surpassed the 10-year mark. Also, sometimes a storm could do irreparable damage to your roof. The only alternative is to install a fresh roof. If your roof is in good condition, you can settle on repairs and maintenance. The following are practical tips to guide you in maintaining your roof.
1. Regularly Check Your Shingles
The best way to maintain your roof is by checking it frequently, especially after strong winds or a storm. It should not be a complicated process as you don’t necessarily require climbing a ladder to inspect the roof. You can get a pair of binoculars and note down the following:
- Curled shingles
- Missing shingles
- Missing granules
- Peeling flashing
- Cracked shingles
If your roof has any of these conditions, you should look to get it repaired as soon as possible. Don’t attempt a DIY repair project as you might miss out on essential concepts or fail to get it to satisfaction. Contact a professional roofing repair company and schedule an appointment. In VA, you can always find many roofing services near you. Search ‘best professionals for Roofing in Roanoke VA’ to get recommendations on the best contractors.
2. Seek Professional Roof Inspection
You might have missed a few things when you inspected your roof, leading to a sudden disaster. You can avoid this by getting a professional roof inspector. These individuals know what to look for when inspecting a roof.
Also, they will walk you through the entire process and give you recommendations on what needs to be done. The professional will analyze the roof during their inspection and determine its approximate lifespan. You can use this information to plan for maintenance or a replacement.
3. Examine Your Attic and Ceiling for Leaks
Ceilings are typical of water leakages. When you notice a stain on your ceiling, there could be severe damage to your roof. You should also pay attention to your attic for possible leakages to stay ahead of severe damage.
The following are common signs of leakages:
- Water stains on the ceiling.
- Bulging patches on the interior walls.
- Moldy odors in some rooms.
- Spots on the exterior walls.
The moment you identify any of these signs, you should try and find the source and call the nearest roofing company.
4. Clean Your Gutters
You will not feel satisfied maintaining your roof until your gutters are cleaned. It is a dirty but necessary job if you want your roof to serve you for the longest time. Unclean gutters attract dust and debris that could become muddy and block water from draining when it rains.
Also, clogged water may allow water to seep under your roof and create stains or cracks with time. There is no specification on how many times you should clean your roof. Experts recommend cleaning gutters twice a year. However, you may clean your gutters frequently depending on the area or location you live.
5. Trim Extended Branches
If you have overhanging branches surrounding your roof, you may need to trim them soon. These branches can be a source of dead leaves and sticks that may clog your gutters. Also, if the branches are heavy, they could break and damage your roof during high winds and storms. Don’t attempt to trim heavy branches by yourself. It’s best to contact a professional roofing company to do the trimming. They have the best equipment for such challenges and will secure your roof throughout the entire process.
6. Wash Your Roof
It might not be an everyday activity, but washing your roof could do a lot to help you keep it in good condition. For example, lots of dust and debris will rest on your roof. These can be pushed down into your gutters and cause a clog. The best way to ensure you clear the dust is by washing your roof after you clean the gutters. Also, by washing your roof, you can monitor the water drainage and identify any potential leakage and its source.
Also, algae can sometimes grow on a roof and may not cause immediate damage but can cause rotting shingles. You can mix water and bleach and spray your roof to kill the algae. The bleach does a quick job when it comes to clearing algae. Ensure it is a 50% mix of water and bleach before spraying.
The best way to ensure your roof lasts is to get professionals to do maintenance.