We take care of the things that take care of us. And as the seasons roll along and our roofs get another year older, our thoughts may turn to a few of our favorite, tried-and-true roof maintenance tips.
After all, most things last longer when we care for them. Motors run better with regular oil changes. Carpets resist wear and tear when they’re kept clean. And relationships flourish when we put in the effort to maintain them.
As the following roof maintenance tips show, confirming the integrity of our roofs should be front and center on our annual to-do lists. Your home’s roof can outlive predictions of longevity with regular maintenance.
If you want to protect your roof and investment, follow these steps. With a relatively small amount of effort, you can keep a home’s roof looking good year in and year out.
Roof Maintenance Tip No. 1: Remove Overhanging Branches
Abrasion from wind-propelled branches damages shingles. This type of harm is generally cumulative.
Minimize the risk by trimming overhanging tree limbs. If the tree is tall, it’s best to hire a professional to remove the branches. Keep tree limbs trimmed to about 10 feet away from the roof.
Removing overhanging branches does more than simply minimizing abrasion. Since squirrels and other animals leap from trees to the roof, pruning removes the wildlife overpass to your home. Rodents, especially, can wreak havoc on shingles by clawing, gnawing, and nesting.
Roof Maintenance Tip No. 2: Clean Your Gutters
The Pacific Northwest’s combination of rain and fir trees can quickly cause problems with gutters. Remove clogs as they happen, and give the gutters a twice-yearly complete cleaning. Spring and autumn are good times to tend to gutters.
If you allow clogs to remain, water collects. The roof sheathing, shingles, and rafters may all be damaged by water and rot. Allowing wet, organic material to pile up near the roof is a recipe for trouble.
Be sure to double-check after a heavy storm, especially one with wind and rain, or during the winter when ice dams are likely to start building up.
In the Northwest, you may find yourself having to check multiple times a year. For safety and to best protect your home and its roof, we recommend that a professional roofing company inspect it for you. This will ensure that your roof inspection covers all the bases.
Roof Maintenance Tip No. 3: Kill Moss
Moss-covered roofs are common in the Pacific Northwest. Some people like the look of the bright, green fuzzy mounds, but you shouldn’t allow moss to remain on a home — either on the roof or anywhere else for that matter.
Moss acts like a sponge, holding moisture in and allowing sufficient time for the moisture to infiltrate your roofing system. Frequent rain keeps the moss saturated for months at a time. Eventually, that accumulated moisture and excess water penetrate the roof.
Small accumulations of moss can be removed with a broom. Larger invasions should be killed.
Avoid toxic products that have zinc sulfate. Look for gentle products at any home-improvement store.
When the time comes to clean the roof, be super careful climbing onto the roof. And be extra cautious once you’re up there. In fact, of all the roof maintenance tips we’re providing here today, this is the one we suggest requires professional care from a roofing expert.
If you do decide to do it yourself, apply the cleaner directly to the moss. Once the moss is gone, you can have zinc strips installed. These will help keep moss growth at bay.
Roof Maintenance Tip No. 4: Keep It Clean
Clear debris from the roof regularly. (Again, seek out an expert to minimize the chance that you’ll injure yourself.) When leaves and other organic debris cover the roof, they eventually begin to decompose. Over time, you’ll have something close to compost, and you may even see weeds sprouting overhead.
Don’t let it get to that point! Sweeping or cleaning once or twice a year may be sufficient to keep the roof tidy. A leaf blower works well when leaves are dry.
Avoid using a pressure washer. You don’t want to force water beneath the shingles, which can cause more headaches for you as a homeowner and more damage to the roof itself.
If your roof or gutters have been damaged, or you need a roof replacement, call Warner Roofing for a consultation and estimate. We’re Vancouver’s roofing experts. We’ve been helping our neighbors with a full suite of roofing services since 1992.
No matter what problem you’re facing with your roofing system, we’ve seen it before. Your roof protects your home, your investments, and most importantly, your family. Don’t let another day pass without checking to make sure it’s in proper working order.
Give us a call if you need any info on roof materials (composition roofs, shingle roofs, etc.), roof repairs or replacements, or anything else. We want to be your roofing contractor of choice, and we pledge to earn your business one call at a time.
