Everything You Need To Know About Roof Maintenance

I’ve talked about maintaining your home many times on this blog; in fact it's one of our most popular topics. Today, I want to put the focus firmly on one particular area of home maintenance: your roof. ​

Every home has a roof (duh!) but does every homeowner maintain their roof? More to the point, do you even know how or why you should look after your roof? The majority of us don’t realize how important it is to take care of the roofing system that sits atop our home. With that in mind, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on roof maintenance that includes why you should maintain your roof, how to do it and other important things to be aware of. 

GAF Timberline Reflector Series Roofing System

Everything You Need To Know About Roof Maintenance

Why Do You Need To Maintain Your Roof?

A roof inspection is easily one of the most critical things to perform when it comes to your home's exterior. Inspecting your roof now can help to avoid enormous issues in the future.  Rain, snow, wind and storms all play a part in potential roof damage, but if you know what to look for when inspecting your roof, the easier it will be to be proactive with maintenance.

As mentioned, your roof provides protection from weather, notably rain or snow, but also heat, wind and sunlight.  Without a roofing system, your home would be un-insulated and exposed to the elements.  Did you know that your roof also plays a very vital role when it comes to insulating your home?  A poorly insulated roof can cause problems such as the formation of ice dams around the overhanging eaves in cold weather, causing water from melted snow to penetrate the roofing material.  This can result in structural damage from stress, including the destruction of gutter and drainage systems. When damages occur, and holes or cracks start to appear, your insulation is jeopardized. As a consequence, your heating bills begin to soar throughout the winter season, as does your cooling bills in summer.  Additionally, you run the risk of interior water damage from leaks through cracks and tears in the roofing material, putting yet another another strain on your wallet.

​By looking after your roof, you can keep your home nicely insulated, free from damage and safe from the elements. 
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Roof Maintenance:  First Steps

Our first suggestion, as is almost always the case, is to call in a professional.  There are many exterior home improvement and roofing companies that will perform a free inspection of your roof and, if repairs are needed, will provide you with a detailed estimate for services.  Also, check the warranty on your existing roof, if you have one: in some cases there are lifetime warranties on materials, should they get damaged through normal wear and tear.  A good professional will also warranty their labor for a certain number of years as well.

In the event you can't or don't want to call in a pro, here's a few things to be on the lookout for when it comes to performing your own roof maintenance:
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• Perform a visual inspection of your shingles.  You might laugh, but having a drone is the perfect tool for aerial inspections!  If you don't happen to have a drone, use binoculars and a ladder to get a view.  If you do climb on your roof, don't do it alone!  Take proper precaution by wearing work boots, a hard hat and a safety protection system, and try your best to avoid stepping on damaged areas.
• Clear any debris you see, as well as you can.  Debris like leaves and twigs can get caught in corners and valleys of your roof, and along dormers and eaves.
• Clear away any clogged gutters.  Consider adding gutter guards to your gutters so this doesn't become a regular issue.  Also, check the downspouts for any clogs.
• Any broken or missing shingles should immediately be patched with cement.  However, large portions of missing roofing materials needs to be handled by a professional.
• Check your flashing (flashing is the metal around the joints in the roof, along valleys, chimneys and vents).  Make sure it's intact and not peeling away.

Leave it to the pros, no matter how good you are home maintenance!

What If You Need A Professional?

Sometimes, you just have to throw up your hands and admit defeat.  Patch job after patch job is as ugly as it is ineffective.  While most newer roofs are designed to last decades, older roofs are just not made with the same advanced materials today's roofs are.  Remember, a good way to tell if yours needs replacing is if you or a pro performs a visual inspection.  While installing a new roof can be a pricey proposition, many reputable roofing companies have coupons, extend discounts and even offer financing to ease the pain a bit.

Oh, and one last thing--perform a visual inspect of your roof at least every 2 years, after 10 years of it's original install.  After 15 years, your roof should be inspected at least once a year.  And always check your roof immediately after a serious storm has passed and it's safe to do so.
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If you're still wondering if you should repair or replace your roof, this infographic can help:
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