Roof Maintenance Is Important For Protecting Your Roof And Your Home
Just like you have regular maintenance on your car and HVAC system to avoid unnecessary problems and costly repairs, you should maintain your roof so small problems don't turn into big repairs. If you're unable to climb on your roof or don't feel comfortable doing so, you can call a roofer to inspect your roof and perform some of these maintenance tasks.
Remove Branches And Leaves
The flatter your roof is, the more tree debris it collects. Small branches may fall on the roof during a storm, and these should be removed if they don't roll off by themselves. It's a good practice to keep trees near your house trimmed so they don't hang over your roof, but even if the trees are a distance away, small branches can be blown on your roof by strong winds in a storm, and they should be removed so they don't scrape off asphalt granules or damage the shingles.
Clumps of leaves may collect on your roof when they fall in autumn. Branches, twigs, and leaves on the roof look unsightly, and in the case of clumps of leaves, they can even cause damage. This happens because wet and decaying leaf clumps hold moisture on the shingles and they can block the proper drainage of rain. Leaves tend to clump up in roof valleys, so be sure to check your roof, especially the valleys, each fall so leaves can be removed if necessary. Leaves should also be removed from your gutter system at least once each year so water doesn't back up in the gutters and cause roof damage.
Clean Off Moss And Algae
Moss, fungus, and algae leave dark streaks on your roof that make it look ugly from the street. Growth on your roof might hold moisture and lead to problems with the shingles over time. Even if it's just harmless algae, you'll probably want to remove it to improve the curb appeal of your home. Washing a roof is a dangerous DIY project, so you'll probably want to hire a professional. Plus, when you let a professional clean your roof, you won't have to worry about damaging your shingles with too much force. If you clean your roof yourself, you'll probably just want to use a hose and soft brush along with an algae-removing product so you won't blast off the top layer of granules with a pressure washer or vigorous brushing with a stiff brush.
Inspect Your Roof After A Storm
Damage to roofing due to age or sun exposure usually happens slowly, so an annual inspection might be enough to catch this type of damage that includes cracks in shingles, curling shingles, and missing granules. However, damage from a storm happens quickly, so you should check your roof after each storm. It doesn't take too long, just check for missing shingles, loose shingles, and other signs of damage. You won't want to bring in a roofer for an inspection after every storm, but you might want a professional to take a look after a big storm with unusually strong wind or with hail.
For more information about proper roof maintenance, contact a roofing professional in your area.
