How often do you go to the roof and inspect its condition?
The answer to this question varies according to the type of dwelling and the place you are living in. However, it is widely understood that the roof is the most ignored part of a house, which makes it more susceptible to damage.
The damages can be of any level, be it a small crack or a roof greened with moss. Some damage to it can be so extensive that it might impair access to the entire house.
In this perspective, we are herewith some productive tips for roof maintenance that can prevent it from future damage.
Choose a Trusted Roofing Contractor for Inspections and Repairs
The utmost care you can take of your roof is to select a trusted and expert roofing contractor to conduct its inspection and repairs.
Cracked shingles, damaged flashing, soft spots, and clogged gutters are all problems that can aggravate roof damage. Here skyviewexteriors.com/ stands unrivaled in providing the best roofing services by employing modern equipment and exploiting contemporary technologies. Its trained professionals can spot potential problems before they compound to a larger level.
Such teams conduct a visual inspection, material checks, assess the overall structural makeup, drainage systems checks, etc. If any issue is encountered, a dedicated preventative strategy has to be prepared and followed accordingly, for which the roof contractor team derives a workable plan to address it and ensure it won’t recur in the future.
Clean Gutters to Protect the Roof and Foundation
Gutters, downspouts, and valleys often experience issues owing to the constant flow of water, dust, and debris, causing clogs and obstructions, which sometimes choke the flow inside these structures.
Some fundamental causes of clogs in these parts are
- Broken parts that hinder the flow or divert it.
- Damage to the roof can cripple the drainage system.
- Ice dams can obstruct the roof valleys.
- Insect infestation and their breeding can block the gutters.
- Foliage deposits during autumn can congest the flow inside them.
Such situations stimulate roof damage in the following ways:
- Seepage of water in the room underneath.
- The choked gutter may break, causing further damage to the roof or aligned wall.
- Erodes the roof material if the gutter overflows.
If you are amidst such situations, you can opt for some fundamental solutions such as flushing the gutter, removing debris such as foliage, etc. After this, consider adjusting the alignment of the gutters and downspouts to avoid the recurrence of such obstructions.
In this perspective, cleaning gutters at least twice a year helps maintain proper water flow and prevents long-term structural damage to the roof.
Address Moss, Algae, and Debris Buildup Promptly
Generally, moss and algae deposits on roofs are observed in houses located in humid or semi-humid areas. While dry, debris accumulates in arid and semi-arid regions.
Moss and algae penetrate the roof and lift the shingles, which become prone to the winds and storm damage. They also have good water retention capacity, which further worsens the roof damage.
However, not the entire roof area is prone to it. Some prominent areas more exposed to this situation are:
- Shaded roof spaces.
- Places with the least or no ventilation.
- North-facing slopes.
- The area around the gutter hole where water flows is closer, but not in contact.
However, following some elementary steps can diminish the aggravation of such situations:
- Clean the roof at least twice a year to flush the debris.
- Check for algae and moss depositions periodically.
- Spray bleach solutions or anti-infectives at places prone to algae and moss growth.
Trim Trees and Watch for Overhanging Branches
If your house is juxtaposed with a tree, then you must take some extra care of your roof. Such trees pose some inherent issues that can inflict damage to your roof, such as
- Thick stems may fall and cause direct damage to the roof.
- Foliage and debris may clog the gutter and drains.
- Its shade can provide a breeding ground for algae and moss.
- Scratch and constant damage.
- A refuge for pests that may pass to the roof.
In such situations, you need to follow certain fundamental steps. For example:
- Trim the dead branches.
- Can use wind catchers to ensure wind resistance.
- Can go with the crown thinking.
For this, you need to inspect the roof regularly, to check and remove their deposition.
Check for Damage After Storms
If you are from an area vulnerable to storms and tornadoes, then maintaining your roof has to be your periodic ritual, especially after a storm has hit your locality.
Post-storm, you may find debris, foliage, low-weight garbage, and similar material deposited on your roof, which can pose a hazard to drainage.
If your roof has been hit by the storm, then it is highly advised not to go to the roof. Check for visible damages from outside, and if the damages are unavoidable and you have insured it, contact the insurance professional to claim it.
If no damage has been inflicted, then clean the roof to remove the unwanted debris collected on it.
Monitor the Attic and Interior Ceilings for Warning Signs
The attic and interior ceiling are the warning indicators of your house, which point to damage to the roof. Stains, peeling paint, musty odors, or even visible drips are some signs that you must pay attention to. If insulation feels damp or light fixtures show discoloration, it’s time to investigate the source.
If you face such issues, there might be a leakage in the roof causing seepage. They also point to flashing issues around vents, chimneys, or skylights.
In such cases, flushing the blocked gutters and cleaning the roof may be impacted. However, it is advised to contact a plumber or roofing contractor to repair it permanently.
The roof provides front-end protection to the entire house, damage to which can impair the other house structures. So, you must keep it under observation and take prompt action if you find any structural or functional damage. The above tips will help you out in this process and manage in the most simplified way.
