A well-maintained roof protects the contents of a home and extends its lifespan. Roofing maintenance tasks like addressing leaks, cleaning gutters and resealing flashing prevent costly repairs down the road.
Aside from the obvious protections against the elements that a roof provides, it also helps prevent mold and mildew, which may threaten the health of your family. Perform yearly inspections to catch and repair problems before they worsen. Contact Arthur’s Roofing for professional help.
The shingles on your roof are one of the most important elements that protect your home from sun, wind, and rain. But they are also one of the most expensive parts of your house, and total replacement costs can easily reach $10,000 or more. Regular shingle maintenance can help your roof last longer and keep your home more comfortable.
Look for shingles that are loose, cracked, or broken. Missing shingles should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent water leaks. Also look for shingles that are blistering, curling, or wearing down. Check caulking around vent pipes and chimneys, and look for moss growing on the roof.
Moss isn’t necessarily a sign of serious damage, but it can be an indicator that the roof needs to be cleaned. Leaving moss on the roof can lead to moisture build-up, which can cause shingles to deteriorate. To minimize the risk of moss growth, clean gutters regularly and remove overhanging tree branches that might rub against or catch on the roof.
It’s also important to inspect the interior of your home for any stains or discoloration. These stains are usually an indication of a problem with your roof, and the sooner you identify the problem, the easier it will be to fix.
A frequent and consistent roofing maintenance program can prevent shingle problems before they escalate into expensive repairs. In addition to cleaning gutters and inspecting roof vents, resealing flashing, and trimming overhanging tree branches, routine professional inspections can help prevent ice dams, algae, moss, and fungus growth, which all shorten the lifespan of shingle roofs.
A shingle roof should be inspected during each season, depending on weather patterns in the area. Hot and humid summers can cause shingle warping and sun damage, while cold wintery storms can increase the likelihood of leaks from melting snow and ice. Also consider having a ridge vent installed to reduce the risk of heat and moisture damaging shingles. This is especially true for homes with high pitched roofs. It’s also important to have the flashing around chimneys and vents properly sealed to prevent water leaks.
Clean the Gutters
Gutters are an important component of a functional roof system. They are responsible for directing rainwater and melted snow away from the home’s foundation, where it could otherwise cause water damage, mold, pest infestations and foundation problems. Gutters should be cleaned twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall to keep them functioning correctly. Clogged gutters can lead to costly water damage, so it is important to do what you can to prevent them from becoming clogged.
Cleaning gutters isn’t a fun chore, but it is necessary. The best way to clean your gutters is to do it from the ground using a long gutter cleaning tool, but you can also do it from a ladder with the help of a pair of work gloves and a bucket. You will want to wear a pair of protective eyewear as well, as gutter debris can contain sharp metal edges, screws, and other hazards. It’s also recommended to bring a buddy along when working from a ladder, as accidents can happen.
To begin, you will need to remove any large debris from the gutter with a shovel or a hand-held scoop. Once you have removed the large items, you will need to spray down the gutter with a garden hose to flush away any remaining gunk. It’s important to do this slowly and carefully in order not to loosen or tear up the shingles. You should also pay close attention to the downspouts and downspout drains, ensuring that they are completely free of blockages.
If you notice that your gutters are sagging or pulling away from the roof, it is likely that they are too full of debris and need to be cleaned out. It’s also important to check your gutters for leaks, cracks, or rust during this process.
Cleaning your gutters properly is a vital part of roof maintenance, as it helps to prevent costly water damage, mold, pest infestations and other serious problems. However, if you are not comfortable climbing a ladder or working from the ground, it may be best to hire a professional to do this task for you.
Trim the Trees
A healthy, well-maintained tree can enhance the beauty of your home and increase its value. But overgrown trees can also pose serious threats to the roof and surrounding landscaping. When not trimmed properly, overhanging branches can scrape against the roof or even fall on it during a storm. This can lead to damage, moisture buildup, and mold. Regular trimming prevents these issues, while reducing pest infestation risks and safeguarding the health of the trees.
Proper tree maintenance prevents branches from overhanging the roof, keeping leaves and other debris from accumulating on the roof and clogging the gutters. It also reduces the chances of a tree falling onto the house, which can cause significant structural damage and hefty insurance claims.
It is important to hire a qualified arborist or tree expert for any trimming or pruning work, as they will be able to safely and effectively protect the integrity of the roof and surrounding landscaping while preserving the trees’ health and future growth. This process typically involves removing dead or dying branches, thinning out crowded areas to promote air circulation and sunlight penetration, and crown reduction.
Crown reduction is a technique often used on older or mature trees, as it helps to strengthen a tree and encourage new growth by reducing the overall density of its canopy. This method reduces the stress placed on specific tree limbs from wind, gravity, snow, and ice, and can be used to create clearance for buildings or cars.
In addition to promoting roof and tree health, proper trimming can help improve a home’s curb appeal by enhancing its appearance and adding value to the property. Untrimmed trees can block sunlight, causing the roof to overheat and retain moisture, which leads to the formation of mold and mildew and shortens the lifespan of roofing materials.
Moreover, neglected trees can attract pests and rodents that are attracted to overhanging branches, which can provide natural pathways for them to enter the house and compromise its structure. With proper maintenance, these problems can be prevented by limiting the overhanging branches and ensuring the health of the trees, as they will be less prone to breaking and dropping limbs during storms.
Inspect the Flashings
Flashing is a vital component of your roof and protects the intersection of the shingles with chimneys, vents, walls, skylights and other structures. Despite the best materials and proper installation, flashing can deteriorate over time due to age and weather exposure. Regular inspections of the flashing can catch problems before they escalate, preventing costly repairs and leaks.
Flashing can be made of a variety of metals and other durable materials designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including rain, snow, sleet and extreme temperatures. However, if the flashing isn’t properly secured, it may fail. Flashing can also be damaged by improper maintenance practices and poor roofing installation techniques. These factors can accelerate the deterioration of the flashing, leaving it vulnerable to water penetration and other serious damage.
A common sign of roof flashing damage is the presence of visible cracks. These can occur in many different ways, but the result is always the same: cracks allow water to penetrate the structure, leading to severe damage and potentially structural issues.
Another sign of flashing damage is the appearance of water stains on ceilings and walls. These stains indicate that the flashing is failing, allowing moisture to penetrate into the ceiling and wall cavities, which can lead to wood rot, sagging ceilings and mould growth.
During a roofing inspection, your roofer will check the flashing to make sure it is secure and properly sealed. They will look for gaps and open spots where the flashing could be breached, as well as any rust or corrosion on the surface of the flashing. They will also ensure that the flashing is properly secured to the shingles and that the caulk around the edges of the flashing is not cracked or missing.
If the flashing is found to be loose, your roofing contractor will fix it. They will use roofing cement to securely anchor the flashing in place. They will also reapply the sealant, making sure it is thoroughly inserted into the gap and that no areas of the flashing are exposed.