Roof Maintenances

Written by No Doubt Marketing

Roof maintenance might be something that you don't give any thought to. In fact, for most homeowners the roof rarely crosses their minds except in a storm that could damage the roof, or in the case of a leak. But roof maintenance is something every homeowner should be aware of to prevent problems that can end up costing thousands in roof repairs or roof replacement.

If you're not comfortable getting on top of your roof and walking around then by all means don't attempt it. But you could climb a ladder and simply look at the roof or find some nearby vantage point where you can clearly the see the surface. And much of the maintenance doesn't even require you to do that much, so you shouldn't overlook it.

For instance, if you have trees in your yard you simply need to be aware about how close the branches are growing to your roof. Examine this closely at least yearly for your roof maintenance. If branches overhang your roof, then you're going to need to be diligent about having your gutters cleaned regularly to move leaves and debris to prevent them from filling and clogging and causing water to run behind the fascia. Clogged gutters can even cause interior or attic flooding in a heavy rainstorm.

Anything that could be touching the roof is a problem that needs to be trimmed back. Braches may look fairly harmless, especially if they don't touch all the time, but wind can move them a surprising distance causing scratches and even gouges that can damage your shingles or knock them loose, contributing to leaks. An important step in roofing maintenance in this case would be to hire a reputable, insured tree service to have those branches trimmed back.

Trimming back trees can also help allow more air circulation over and around your roof which can prevent a common roof maintenance problem: mold or algae growth. This is evident in dark or black streaks on the roof. A roof that's shaded a lot by trees and/or faces north will be more susceptible to this problem. The growth will eventually break down the roofing material and cause leaks.

If you discover these streaks during your roofing maintenance check, you can have a contractor install zinc strips along the top ridges of the roof as well as trim back tree branches. These strips add zinc oxide to the rainwater that runs down from them which adds a coating to the roof that inhibits mold and fungus growth. You'll also want to use a special cleaner to remove the existing fungus, but don't use anything corrosive like bleach that can damage the tiles.

Also, your roofing maintenance should include a quick check for any signs of damage like a shifted shingle or any missing shingles. Even one shingle that's askew can quickly lead to other problems like leaks and damage, so you should immediately act on any problems you see. This kind of roof maintenance will keep your roof in great shape and it will last longer.

Ready to find roof maintenance for your home? Use BuyerZone's free request for roof maintenance price quotes, and we'll match you to multiple contractors in your area.