As a homeowner, you want a house that you will be happy to return to every day after work. It’s why it’s essential to keep every part of your home in complete working efficiency, especially the roof. The roof is constantly exposed to a combination of fluctuating temperatures, extreme weather, and raging elements daily. As a result, the roof needs to be maintained regularly to stay in good shape.

Here is a list of some basic do’s and don’ts of roof maintenance to consider so your roofing system stays in good condition and performs as it should for years to come.

Do’s

  • Inspect Your Roof Regularly

Roof inspections are the best step to make sure your roof functions properly for a long time. When you have your roof inspected, you’ll be able to identify issues and make the necessary repairs before becoming potentially significant problems. These small issues may be easier to fix now, saving you time and money in the long run.

In general, your roof needs to be inspected at least two times per year. The ideal times to have this done would be during spring and fall, when roofs have undergone tremendous amounts of thermal stress. It will also prepare your roof for the following seasons with more intense weather.

However, the inspection time isn’t set in stone. You also need to check your roof and ceilings after bad weather. This will provide you with an image of your roofing system’s condition after enduring adverse weather conditions. Watch out for some red flags like curling or missing shingles, water stains, and loose material around the vents.

  • Keep Your Gutters Clean

The gutters are a necessary part of the roof’s drainage system and your home’s overall well-being. It conveys rainwater from the roof to an area where it cannot harm the house’s other structural elements. However, gutters can also quickly accumulate leaves and other debris, leading to clogging.

When the gutters are clogged, they can trap water and cause it to rust or breakaway. In the winter, it can also lead to ice damming, forcing you to replace the gutters. It can pose several hazards, including foundation cracks and foundation flooding.

Apart from regular inspection and repair, make sure to clean your gutters twice a year to ensure the flow of water goes smoothly into your drainage system. When cleaning, make sure to remove any dead leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other debris.

If you can’t commit to regular cleaning, consider installing a gutter guard instead. Gutter guards should lessen the number of times you have to clean your gutters. It acts as a filter to keep larger debris out of the gutters. Meanwhile, water still gets in and be drained away from your home.

  • Trim Your Trees

Even the trees in your yard can affect the condition of your roofing system. When tree branches hang over a home, it becomes a threat to the rooftop and the entire property.

On a windy day, the branches can scrape against the shingles, which can strip the material down to its base mat layer and expose your roof to moisture.  The increased level of moisture can create an ideal environment for mold growth and eventual roof damage.

The leaves and twigs that fall from the trees can also land directly on your roof or into the gutter, which can lead to rusting, clogging, molding, or leakage. You’ll be forced to brush the branches and leaves off your roof, which is both tedious and causes a lot of wear over time.

If the surrounding trees are damaged or diseased, a strong storm can cause limbs to fall onto your home and damage your roof.

Trim all tree branches that come close to your roof. It is ideal to hire a professional to get rid of the overhanging branches to prevent putting your home in danger. A single wrong cut can cause the branch to fall on your roof, which can lead to expensive and extra repairs to your roof.

Don’ts

  • Delay Repairs

Embarking on roof inspections can help you spot potential problems before they become large enough to cause irreversible damage. However, some homeowners often choose to put off repairs if they see it is not too serious about saving money. Unfortunately, this will actually accelerate the damage, which will make the repairs more expensive.

As the problem gets worse, it can eventually worsen to the point of eventually endangering your roof and everything underneath. If you ever notice signs of leaks, you should address them immediately.

Solving roofing problems at their early stage will require fewer materials and labor, costing less than complicated problems caused by delaying roof repairs. It will also prevent the problem from spreading to the rest of the roof.

  • Pressure Wash Your Roof

Cleaning your roof is a simple maintenance task necessary to extend your roof’s life while keeping your home looking great.  Some people decide to do this by using pressure washing for a quick and convenient cleaning roof.

Pressure washing involves using high-pressure water spray to remove mold, dust, debris, grime, mud, and other types of dirt. High pressure is effective in getting the job done. However, most materials and components used on a roof are not built to endure the pounding from high water pressure.

Pressure takes away the granules on your roof that enable it to protect your home from extreme weather elements. The resulting damage may not be apparent right away, but it will eventually shorten your roof’s life expectancy. You’ll end up needing a roof replacement sooner rather than later.

  • Step On the Roof

When you embark on roof maintenance tasks on your own, you should avoid walking on your roof as much as possible. Besides the risk of falling off, roofs are different from the flooring.  While roof shingles can endure the weather elements, it is not designed to be stepped on.

The average person’s weight can create cracks on roofs, especially those with older shingles or tiles. There’s an even bigger risk when there are already signs of damage like rotting. Stumbling onto these areas of the roof can cause it to collapse.

  • Attempt It Yourself

In the pursuit of saving money, many homeowners attempt to do roofing works. While homeowners can complete several maintenance tasks independently, some aspects of roof maintenance, like repairs, should be left to the pros for your safety and convenience.

A damaged roof needs particular attention, and improper solutions can cause further irreparable problems down the line. Roofing professionals are specifically trained and experienced to find the root cause of the damage and find a correct way of handling it.

Additionally, expert roofers can access the right tools and equipment to properly fix the problem that the average homeowner probably doesn’t possess.

Furthermore, roof work involves working high off the ground, which puts you at significant risk. A single mistake could land you in the hospital. Suppose you are uncomfortable or inexperienced with walking up ladders or on a rooftop. In that case, it’s best to leave the job to trained professionals.

If you need roof maintenance work done, get the help of an experienced roofing contractor. Universal Contracting of Florida handles all types of roofing projects, from start to finish. Our team of professionals in Florida is equipped with the necessary experience and skills to ensure that every shingle to your roof will provide top performance and maximum protection. Visit our website to learn more.