We’ve said many times that roof replacement and repair aren’t DIY jobs. However, there are some things you should be doing to care for your roof. If you’re a new homeowner, this short list of roof maintenance for homeowners should be done at least once a year. Regular maintenance helps keep your roof in good shape, which will help it last longer.
Clean Gutters Protect Your Roofing System
Of all the roof maintenance for homeowners, this one is the most dreaded task. But, it’s the one that has perhaps the biggest impact on your entire roofing system. Clogged gutters allow for standing water. The standing water can soak the bottom row of shingles. It can also freeze during winter. One of two things usually happen next. Either they become so heavy your gutters pull away from your home and damage your fascia or ice dams form. This leads to damaged shingles which almost always leads to a roof leak. If you don’t want to clean them, talk to your roofing company about installing gutter covers.
Trim Back Trees & Remove Debris from Your Roof
Did you know that tree branches rubbing against your roof can damage your shingles? Trimming them so they don’t touch your roof prevents damage. Of course, any overhanging branches may also fall on your roof. This is another common cause of roof damage during storms. If you notice that branches, twigs or even leaves are collecting on your roof, clean them off. As they deteriorate, they can also lead to shingle damage, usually in the form or mold or algae growth.
Check Your Attic Insulation
This is the easiest and most overlooked task of all roof maintenance for homeowners. All you need to do is make sure that your insulation is the proper R-value for your area and that none of it is wet or compressed. Insulation that was wet loses its R-value and must be replaced. Your insulation protects your roof by keeping your attic approximately the same temperature as the outside because it prevents heat from escaping from your home. When your attic is warm after a snow, and then the temperatures drop overnight, you end up with ice dams, especially if you haven’t cleaned your gutters.
You May Need Professional Roof Maintenance
As much as we do recommend these items as roof maintenance for homeowners, just because you do them doesn’t mean you won’t still need a roofing company to handle other maintenance and repair tasks. If you find that you have loose shingles or that branches touching your roof have damaged some shingles, call your roofing company. If you don’t have one, call Cooley Roofing. We’re locally owned and operated with a long history in the Triad. Call us today at (336) 766-6488 or fill out our contact form to schedule your roofing inspection and maintenance appointment.
