Keeping your roof maintained is one of the best things that you can do to help ensure that your home stays protected and that the roof lasts for decades to come. Neglecting important maintenance will only lead to trouble down the road.
In this post, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about keeping your roof well maintained in 2022. No matter the season, there are small things you can do to take care of your home and your roof.
ROOF MAINTENANCE 101
The first step to maintaining your roof is scheduling inspections on an annual basis. Many roofs last for several decades, so you don’t need to be running up there every single weekend checking for damage or potential leaks.
However, it’s important that you regularly inspect your roof and check-in with professionals who can do a thorough inspection of both the exterior and interior portions of the roof.
When the roof isn’t being inspected for damages, here are a few of the things you can do to keep it well maintained.
CLEAR AND REMOVE DEBRIS FROM THE ROOF’S SURFACE
One part of roof maintenance that many people neglect is removing debris like:
- Leaves
- Pine needles
- Twigs
These items can easily get caught up in the shingles or on your gutters which can lead to leaks later down the line.
You also don’t want sticks and leaves rotting on the surface of your roof because that trapped moisture will cause your roof to deteriorate faster.
CHECK ALL OF THE PIPE BOOTS AND VENTS ON THE ROOF
Another common issue that people forget to check are the pipe boots and vents on their roof. Pipe boots can crack over time and become damaged causing problems and leaks down the road. Vents can get clogged or be kept from circulating air through the attic the way that they’re supposed to.
Trapped air and moisture build-up are two of the leading causes of mold in attics and roof systems.
INSPECT FOR ANY ANIMALS GETTING IN
Check for any animals that have found their way onto your roof and inside. Birds, squirrels, raccoons, mice, and more – can all cause problems by tearing shingles or insulation, or even making nests in areas of your home that can lead to serious problems.
If you’re seeing evidence of animal activity in your attic or on your roof, call an exterminator to help and then get your roofer out there to fix all of the damages so that no more animals get in.
CHECK FOR LOOSE OR MISSING CAULKING AND FLASHING
One of the most common causes of roof leaks is when caulking and flashing have become loose or missing. This can be caused by weathering, age, or even just improper installation in the first place.
If you notice any areas where caulking or flashing looks like it’s coming loose, get a professional out to take a look and fix the issue. If you’re feeling confident, you could possibly DIY this fix but, be sure you know what you’re doing.
CHECK YOUR CHIMNEY IF YOU HAVE ONE
If you have a chimney, it’s important to check the flashing and mortar around it every year. Getting water in and around the chimney can cause serious problems. It’s also good to have a chimney sweep out to your home occasionally to make sure that there’s no problems with the inside of the chimney.
Clogs and smoke build-up in a chimney can lead to house fires.
CLEAN OUT YOUR GUTTERS
It’s a good idea to clean out your gutters on a regular basis, especially in the fall and spring when they’re more likely to get clogged with leaves, snow, and ice. Keeping all of the debris out of the gutters and making sure that they drain properly will make a big difference.
If water isn’t able to flow freely through your gutters, it will overflow and eventually find its way into your roof system and siding. If this happens a lot, you’ll be left with a headache and lots of problems. Talk with our Gutter Repair and Replacement experts for more info.
REMOVE SNOW AND PREVENT ICE DAMS
Another thing to keep in mind during the winter is removing snow from your roof to help prevent ice dams. Not every roof is going to have problems with ice dams, but if you know that your roof does, then it’s a good idea to check on it periodically and make sure that you can get ahead of it by removing the snow.
If you let a lot of snow build up on your roof, it will eventually turn into ice as it melts and refreezes. This can cause the gutters to back up with water and lead to some serious damage when it gets out of hand.
WHY IS ROOF MAINTENANCE IMPORTANT?
As you can see, there are a lot of things that go into keeping your roof in good condition. It’s not something that should be ignored and it’s definitely not a job that you should neglect if you want your roof to last for years to come.
Ultimately, the three things that you’re going to get out of regular roof maintenance are peace of mind, a long lifespan from your roof, and fewer future problems.
Our skilled team of MARS Restoration roofers are there for you to help make sure that your roof stays in good condition no matter what. We offer free roof inspections and can help to determine how long your roof will last.
Reach out to us today and we’ll be out to your home within 24 hours!