The most important part of keeping your house protected from the elements, it makes sense to keep an eye on your roof. Even if it’s relatively new, small issues can lead to big problems down the road. In some cases, needed repairs aren’t visible from the ground or can’t be seen by the untrained eye.
That’s why it’s a good idea to get a roof inspection from a professional roofing company. Maintaining your roof will ensure you get the most out if while heading off any potential damage caused by faulty flashing or “popped” nails. There are a few maintenance tips a homeowner can follow to keep the roof in good shape.
Look For The Obvious Signs of Roof Debris
At the end of Fall and beginning of Spring, take the time to walk the perimeter of the home to look for missing or damaged shingles. You may need to grab a ladder for a closer look. Try to find clumps of leaves, sticks or twigs, and other debris that could hold water in place and damage your roof.
If you feel it is safe to do so, grab a broom and brush all of the debris off of the roof. If you have a composite or asphalt roof, be careful not to brush off too many granules. They are in place to help reflect UV rays as well as making the shingles more fire-resistant.
Moss is a little bit harder to get rid of, but it is worth the effort. Moss will act like a sponge and hold water in place. Because it often grows in the seams of roofing material, the water could seep between shingles. Moss can be brushed off of a roof and some roofing materials can even be pressure washed.
While you’re on the ladder, go ahead and clean out those gutters so they can do their job. By taking the rainwater away from the house, gutters help protect the siding of the house, landscaping below, and even the foundation. If the gutters are clogged, they fill with water and increase the chance of ice dams.
Ice dams occur when water freezes in the gutters and back under the shingles. Through a series of thaws and freezes, ice can pop nails up and provide more room for water to infiltrate the roofing system. After a few cycles, water may find its way into the walls of the home. So start cleaning out those leaves!
If you see shingles that need repair or replacement, we recommend calling a professional roofer. While composite roofing materials are common, you may do more harm than good if you try to fix it yourself. Clay, cement tiles, and slate are also not meant to be walked on. Getting shingles of your roof replaced before winter will keep roof problems in check.
Flat Roofing
For industrial, commercial, or manufacturing roofing, the roof may be the site of infrastructure for the building. As such, routine maintenance and service or repairs will occur. In these cases, flat roofs are designed to be walked on. To preserve the roof, think about laying down walkway paths that lead from the access point to the equipment.
This will cut down on the wear and tear of the roof and keep foot traffic isolated to the areas that need attention. Walkways should also allow for easy inspection and maintenance, too. This will make it easy to perform any service, maintenance, or roof repairs without disrupting the roof any more than necessary.
Flat roofs double as living spaces for many homeowners, so regular maintenance is a must. If used for entertaining, annual inspections will make sure the structure is sturdy enough to handle a certain amount of weight. If the roof isn’t designed for these uses, homeowners will still need to check the seams every year for possible tears, cracks, or leaks.
Flat roofs all have a little slope to them to prevent pooling. If there is evidence of pooling, it’s important to contact an experienced roofing contractor to check/repair depressions that aren’t allowing water to roll off the roof. Also, remember to inspect drainage areas to make sure they aren’t clogged with leaves and other debris.
Work With The Experts
Are you missing a few shingles, gutters pulling away from the roof, or is your flashing badly bent? Get in touch with Warner Roofing today. We’ve been servicing and repairing the roofs of your friends and neighbors since 1992. No matter the type of roof you have, we have the experience to repair it.
