There are many reasons why your roof is one of the most vital elements of your home. Aside from significantly affecting the appearance of your property, the condition of your roof can also influence your energy bills and the safety of your family. You’ll see yourself paying for skyrocketing energy bills and worrying all the time if your roof is damaged or poorly maintained.
Steer away from this direction by exerting time and effort to regularly maintain your roof. Contrary to popular belief, this is a relatively easy task that can be accomplished by any homeowner. Maintaining the look of your home’s roof doesn’t require years of experience or complex equipment. It’ll only require you to regularly practice the following:
Check Your Shingles
Your roof has many shingles, which means that the quality and quantity of these shingles make up the appearance of your roof. Your roof won’t be as appealing or functional if it has damaged or missing shingles.
One easy way to maintain the look of your home’s roof is to check your shingles regularly. You should pay attention to any missing, cracked, or curling shingle. Seeing any problems with your shingles should prompt you to call for a professional roofing kitchener right away. Never attempt to repair or replace shingles on your own as this can cause more harm than good.
Look For Leaks In Your Attic And Ceiling
Your roof acts as a barrier that protects your valuables and family from harsh weather conditions. A roof in tiptop condition will give you peace of mind, knowing that everyone and everything inside your home is safe. A good roof will also ward off stress, knowing that you’ll be less exposed to theft.
So, if you notice that your roof starts to leak, your attic often has puddles of water on the floor, or if the furniture in your attic is water-damaged, spend some time to repair the cause of the problem or call pros to do it. A leaking roof can eventually worsen as moisture can easily spread and weaken your home’s structure. Leaks can also leave stains on your ceiling and damage your home’s interiors.
Examine The Roof After A Storm
Just because your roof is intact after a storm doesn’t mean that you should be complacent and think that it’s still working properly. Aside from the strong winds, storms can usually carry stones and other debris that can severely damage your roof. Your roof becomes weaker every time it survives a storm.
Avoid any surprises by regularly examining your roof every storm. Your roof might need repair after a nasty storm, so it’s important to know the condition of your roof before another one affects your area.
You need to make sure that your roof is capable of protecting your home from these outside elements.
Climb up your roof and assess the condition of your shingles. Are there any missing or damaged shingles? Did the storm cause the shingles to curl up? If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, call a pro and have your roof repaired as soon as possible.
Clean The Gutters
Aside from your shingles, your gutter is also another important part of your roof. A damaged gutter will usually trap leaves and other debris, which can eventually become the reason why your roof will become weak because of moisture. A dirty gutter can also become the breeding ground of small animals, which can damage your shingles.
You can prevent these problems from happening by cleaning your gutters as often as possible. You should make sure that there are no blockages or moisture in your gutters. Leaves should be removed, and the drainage should be working properly to ensure that your roof is in tiptop condition.
Get Rid Of Moss
Seeing the color green can be very beneficial as it’s known to alleviate anxiety, nervousness, and depression. This is the reason why experts would recommend people to look at anything green whenever they spend too much time in front of the computer.
However, if you start seeing green moss or algae in your roof, that’s another story. The roots of these plants can seep into your roof and damage your shingles. In worse cases, these plants can even seep into your attic and ceiling, causing more damage in the long run.
Another way to maintain your roof’s look is to ensure that it’s free from moss or any kind of plant. Once you see any in your roof, remove it immediately and don’t wait for its roots to grow. Moreover, moss and other types of plants can attract small animals, such as raccoons and squirrels, to feast on your roof.
Over time, these animals can eventually find their way into your ceiling and damage your roof from the inside. The longer you leave this problem, the tougher it’ll be for you to remove them.
Trim Overhanging Branches
Trees add pops of color to any property, but this doesn’t mean that you should let them grow on their own. Trees are big and bulky, and can become hazards when not maintained properly. Trees can easily tumble down and damage nearby structures, like your roof, for example. This is especially true if your area often experiences severe winds, rains, or storms.
If you have trees in your property, regularly trim overhanging or weak branches. You can do this on your own or hire companies that specialize in tree pruning or trimming services. Ideally, trees and other types of greeneries should be at least six feet away from your home’s structure.
Aside from keeping your roof safe from falling branches, trimming your trees will also prevent rodents from entering and eating the materials present in your roof. This will also guarantee that your trees remain healthy, and your roof stays appealing for years.
Ask For Professional Help
Maintaining the look of your home’s roof is easy, as long as you regularly follow the tips presented in this article. However, aside from your own efforts, it’s also important to know when to hire pros when you need repairs. These professionals will know how to diagnose and repair all of your roofing problems, so your roof stays appealing and functional for the longest time possible!
