A roof system is arguably the most vulnerable part of a building’s exterior. UV rays, wind, rain, hail, snow, and sleet all affect a roof’s performance. Roof maintenance is essential to prevent roof problems and keeping the roof in a watertight condition. Early detection and repair of roof problems would help you provide a long-lasting roof system. Here are a few steps you must take to ensure a well-maintained roof.
1.Look up
The first and the foremost step you must take in roof maintenance is performing a visual check. Do a visual inspection twice a year (preferably spring and fall)- from the ground inspection. Look for problematic areas such as lifting or missing shingles, damaged drip edge, buckling, loose or missing flashing, missing or exposed fasteners, sagging or broken gutters, and piles of granules. One or more of these signs indicate a potential problem. The sooner you address it, the better it is for the health of your roof.
2.Clean the gutters
In the next step, you would want to check the drain for any clutter or debris. Though it’s a dirty job, cleaning out your gutters is an essential part of maintaining your roof. If you find leaves or rocks or branches in the channel, they could cause severe gutter problems, which would directly affect the lining of your roof. Call in an expert to do a regular checkup and cleaning a few times a year, especially before a big storm. Otherwise, water can back up and rot fascia.
3.Check the integrity of materials and insulation
Roofing products will deteriorate over time through the natural aging process. Look for excessive granule loss, blisters, or physical damage to the roofing material. Structural damage even of the smallest size can cause bricks to start falling out, which can damage your roof, let alone cause your chimney to collapse. It is cheaper to deal with the problem before it shows up on the interior. Proper insulation and ventilation in your attic will help keep your roof in good condition by preventing ice dams from forming as well as reducing moisture.
4.Inspect Openings and water stains
No matter what kind of roof you have, there is always a possibility of creating openings. You must inspect every transition, elevation change, and around roof penetrations for gaps over .25 inches.
You should also be checking your ceilings and attic just as regularly as your roof itself for water damage to head off any serious issues.
4.Get a professional roof inspection.
People often avoid calling professionals to assist and guide them through the process to save some money. But an expert would be able to spot a potential threat you might miss, as well as provide you guidance for maintaining your roof. They’ll also give you a rough idea of how many more years it will last. Most roofers recommend inspections every two years, but a check once a year will increase your chances of finding potential issues before they become costly repairs.
