Guaranteed Tips for A Dependable Roof

February 11, 2017

When the weather is fantastic outside, take the opportunity to double-check your roof for any signs of wear and tear. Remember, the earlier you treat the problems, the better since it can help reduce major costs in the long run. Here are a few things to inspect.

10 Tips to Keep Your Roof in Tip-Top Shape

1. The best time for an inspection is the spring or summer after severe weather conditions to check damages that have already been inflicted or have passed.
2. Do your initial inspections from the ground or through upstairs windows if you can see the roof from them. If you are not too comfortable with height, using binoculars can do the trick.
3. Keep gutters and roof surfaces clear of fallen leaves, pine needles, twigs, and other litter so rainwater drains freely. Remember, moisture is an enemy of your roof, gutter and sidings. Make it a point to avoid the accumulation of such.
4. Trim back trees to prevent branches from scuffing the roof surface. This will also keep the roof surface drier, helping to inhibit growths such as algae, mold, fungus, or lichen. Keep climbing roses, vines, and ivy trimmed back from the roof.
5. Never paint or coat asphalt roofing materials to change the color or give the roof a new look because paint or coatings may void the manufacturer’s warranty. If they are showing signs of staining from algae, you can easily clean asphalt shingles.
6. Never allow water from a downspout to pour directly onto a roof below, as this will create additional wear to the shingle surface. Connect all upper-story downspouts to a lower-level gutter with drains installed on the lower roof.
7. When removing snow or ice from a valley or other roof areas, use a soft-bristled broom or long extension pole. Remember to never allow shovels to make direct contact with your shingles. Safety is always a priority so never climb onto a wet or snow-covered roof.
8. Inspect the underside of the roof deck from the attic to detect leaks. Flashings are the most vulnerable points. That being said, inspect the underside carefully at all flashing points for evidence of leakage, such as water stains.
9. Limit walking on roofs to a minimum to avoid damaging the surface. When workmen have to climb onto the roof to service or install a chimney, solar collector, television antenna, or other roof element, require them to be cautious in order to protect the roofing. Avoid mounting satellite discs or other hardware to the roof surface to avoid future potential leak areas.
10. Whenever a new element is added to the roof, make certain proper flashing procedures are followed to maintain the integrity of the roofing. Be sure anchors are made of a non-corrosive material to eliminate the possibility of metal discoloration or “iron stains” on the roof.