Roof maintenance for your home is one investment you will not regret. It raises the value of your home as well as secures it making it safe to live under. It’s a critical phase of the home’s structure. In fact, the essential part of keeping your home safe and in “one piece” is maintaining your home’s security. Picking the right roofer to renovate your rooftop or to add one to your home shouldn’t be a mystery. You should be able to communicate with the servicemen and ask anything you want regarding your home improvement project.
For instance, protecting your family by keeping your rooftop in tip-top shape should start with the strength of the rooftop. If you see you may be due for a roof replacement before winter, then it may be time to get an estimate and inspection. Ignoring the signs of a leaky or weak roof can start the torrentous cycle of a falling rooftop that may cause more damage than it’s worth. First, the leaks begin and then the mold will surface and noticeable on the ceiling. This means it may need replacing immediately.
Here are more than a dozen of preventative maintenance things to watch for to maintain your roof.
Inspect your rooftop at least twice a year. First at the beginning of the year is a perfect time to inspect the interior and exterior of your rooftop.
Trim Overhanging tree branches so they do not dangle and eventually grow into your rooftop. They can begin to damage tiles while causing damage to the individuals tiles themselves. Keeping your rooftop free from any damaging branches, pine cones, thorny branches…will ensure a longer lasting rooftop.
Don’t Allow Mold and Mildew to Grow
Black spots on your roof is a sign of mold and mildew. Overtime mold can work it’s way into your rooftops and tiles, damaging them. For those who have new roofs, keeping it free from mold and mildew with “zinc strips” at the center peak of the roof will help. The zinc washing off the strips when it rains will prevent the mildew and mold from growing. If your roof is old, then mold may already have surfaced. You can use a mold removal cleaner to remove what’s already formed then attach the zinc strips once you’ve cleaned the area with the mold removal. These are especially made for this purpose.
Keep Those Gutters Clean and In Good Repair
Gutters do tend to get old and damaged. The heavy rain can cause damage to your gutters. Stuffed, clogged, and breaking is what happens to gutters that are either overstuffed and weather related abuse. The cracking and damaging of the tiles is what needs to be replaced along the way. What happens is that the water does get diverted from where it should go to and if the gutters are clogged, then it’s not going to drain out. Then, eventually it overflows when it gets backed up. All in all the foundation along with the house can get ruined. This then becomes a “breeding ground”. Soggy leaves and debris will then pile up on your roof so this is the reason to keep your gutters clean and in good condition.
Replace Damaged Shingles and Roofing Tiles
Keeping your roof in great shape, such as watching out for those shingles that are curling up, will eventually need to be replaced. Those shingles which curl are doing so because of the “ventilation” that comes from the heat. Sometime it’s the shingles that are defective which need to be replaced. They can get worse. Replacing them quickly will allow your roof’s to last longer. When it’s a small corner of the tile, it too can get more damaging. It’s good to know how to repair or replace individual tiles and shingles.
Replace Roof Sealants as Needed
You must check all the spots where there’s roof sealant. There could be signs of wear and tear. When it comes time to reapply fresh sealant on your roof, it probably a good idea to do it all immediately.
Replace Cracked Mortar Around Chimneys
Replace cracked mortars since this is what holds up a chimney. Even if you have to do this tedious task one by one, it’s worth it in general. Last thing you need is to have a fallen chimney because of a few bricks you could of replaced last summer.
Snow Removal
Living in a region where you get heavy snowfall. You should have good insulation because of the heavy snow that will eventually land on your roof one winter day, or night. Be prepared to take care of such extreme weather conditions. The freezing and then the thawing will cause a tremendous amount of damage on your roof that it could fall through eventually, if you don’t have good insulation.
Have A Professional Inspection of Your Roof
Potential problems will eventualy arise year after year if you don’t follow these basic rules of owning a “tip top shaped” rooftop. You want to prevent accidents and maintain a safe house structure because without a rooftop, it isn’t much of house.
Source: Roofing Contractor Michigan