Keeping your roof in top shape is something that most homeowners can do themselves (as long as they aren’t afraid to get up on the roof)! Visual inspections and removal of debris piles are simple maintenance tasks that can make a big difference.
It is also a good idea to trim any trees close to your home regularly. This helps reduce the risk of tree limbs causing damage in storms and of animals getting into your house.
The roof is what stands between your home and the elements, and it protects more than just your possessions. A poorly-maintained roof can lead to more serious problems like water damage, mold, and structural issues that may cost you a fortune to repair. Regular inspections and maintenance help prevent these major issues from arising by identifying and addressing minor problems before they get worse.
For example, a cracked shingle or a missing one is not only an eyesore, but it can also allow moisture into the house which causes wood to rot and promotes the growth of algae or moss. Cleaning your gutters and removing debris regularly can prevent these problems from occurring, as well as clogged drains that can cause water saturation in the attic or leaks into the house.
Another roofing maintenance task is to inspect and replace the caulk around the chimney, vent pipes, and other roof penetrations to ensure that the sealant is intact. This protects against moisture entering the house, as well as preventing heat from escaping during the winter, driving up heating costs.
Similarly, ensuring that your attic has proper ventilation helps to reduce humidity levels and prevent the formation of condensation on the rafters. If this build-up occurs, it can destroy the shingles and rot the wooden structures of the attic. This can result in expensive repairs or even the need to replace your entire roof.
Another important maintenance item is to trim tree branches that overhang the roof, as this can prevent wear and tear by scraping against it. It also minimizes the amount of shade on your roof which can cause moss or algae to grow.
Prevents Leaks
Leaks are a common roof problem that can lead to significant water damage. If not dealt with promptly, leaks can rot sheathing, ceilings, and rafters, and drywall can become soaked with water and damaged. In the worst cases, unresolved leaks can encourage toxic mold to grow, which can affect health and cause respiratory issues. Performing regular roofing maintenance can prevent and catch problems early, making it easier to resolve them.
Many homeowners overlook the importance of cleaning their roofs, but a well-maintained roof can last longer and reduce the risk of leaks. When performed regularly, roof washing helps remove dirt, grit, and debris that can damage the shingles. It also allows you to inspect the surface of the roof and check for cracked tiles, moss, mildew, and mold. You can use a garden house, ladder, or a power washer with low pressure to clean the tiles. It’s important to do this with care as too much pressure can crack clay tiles.
You should also pay attention to flashing areas such as chimneys, vent pipes, and skylights to ensure that they’re properly sealed and that there aren’t any other areas where water might enter your home. Also look for signs of ponding water, such as pools on the roof surface, which can lead to deterioration and moisture infiltration.
Finally, keep an eye on your gutters to make sure that they’re not clogged with leaves and other debris. If you have trees around your house, it’s a good idea to trim them often. This will help the natural flow of water and prevent clogging and other problems. You should also look at the drip edge of your roof to make sure it’s not missing. A missing drip edge can allow wind-driven rain to enter your home and can also lead to wood rot.
Prevents Ice Dams
Ice dams are a serious roofing problem, forming in the roof valley and near gutter downspouts. They can tear off gutters, damage shingles and other parts of the roof, and cause water to back up and leak into the house. They are also a fire hazard. Fortunately, there are several short-term methods that can prevent the formation of ice dams. One of the easiest is to use a calcium chloride de-icer that is safe for your roof and gutters (never use rock salt or sodium chloride). Another option is to install electric heat cables on the roof to melt snow and ice as it forms. Finally, you can invest in a roof rake that pulls snow from the eaves before it can build up.
These methods don’t address the root cause of ice dams, however. Most ice dams form when heat escapes through the ceiling into the attic and warms a section of the roof. This area is usually colder than the rest of the roof, which causes snow to melt over it and then freeze on the cold eaves. The resulting ice dam can grow, and eventually trap water behind it.
Proper insulation and ventilation can prevent this from happening. Make sure your attic has at least 12-15 inches of insulation, and check it regularly to see if you need to add more. Ensure that ridge vents, gable vents, and soffit vents are working properly to remove the hot air in the attic and limit the amount of heat that melts snow on the roof. In addition, adding more insulation to the attic can help, and professional air sealing can stop escaping heat from leaking into your home.
Prevents Animal Infestation
Animals like squirrels, mice, rats, raccoons and skunks are opportunistic creatures that look for easy access to the warmth, shelter and food found in homes and buildings. These animals gnaw on electrical wiring, tear up insulation for nesting materials and spread diseases with their droppings. Regular roof maintenance will catch wildlife intrusions and help prevent these animals from damaging structures.
Signs of wildlife infiltration are noises from scratching and scurrying, holes in soffit areas and damaged or chewed shingles. Foul odors from urine and feces can also be an indication of an animal infestation. It’s important to check for signs of animal intrusion often so that they can be dealt with quickly before it becomes a serious problem.
An expert in animal removal near me can assist with wildlife control to get rid of animals that have already gained entry into your home. However, prevention is always preferred over dealing with an animal infestation after it occurs. Regular roofing inspections will reveal any possible access points that need to be closed. An experienced team can seal gaps, fill holes, repair shingle edges and put in metal sheeting to protect against animal entry.
Woodchucks and groundhogs dig burrows underneath porches, sheds, and decks causing structural damage to the structure. This can result in the need for a costly roof replacement. Similarly, squirrels and mice can burrow into your attic destroying shingles and creating a potential fire hazard with their chewed-up electrical wiring. In addition, birds can cause damage to building components with their corrosive bird guano and leave behind nesting materials that need to be removed. Landmark designs aesthetically pleasing bird deterrent systems to keep these pests away from buildings.