Your home’s roof is one of its biggest investments, and you want to ensure you are doing all you can to get the best performance and life out of it. There are ways you can help protect your roof from common damages that don’t require much work.
1. Keep Your Gutters Clean
Your gutters catch leaves, dirt, and other debris that slide off your roof. When all that debris is left in them and they get clogged up, it can allow water to seep into your roof, which can rot the materials. It can also cause water damage to both the interior and exterior of your home. Unclean gutters can additionally make nice homes for mold and pests. It’s highly recommended to clean out your gutters at least twice a year — typically in the spring and fall.
2. Regular Visual Inspections
Regular, routine visual inspections can help save a lot of damage, headaches, and money down the road. Keeping your roof clear of tree branches, looking for any signs of wear and tear, and other types of damages inflicted by pests are just a few things you should be aware of. If you have a shingled roof, check for any missing or damaged shingles. If you have a metal roof, check for any signs of rust around fasteners. It’s especially important to inspect your roof after serious storms and high speed winds. Regular inspections can help you address problems quickly and efficiently.
3. Keep Tree Branches Trimmed
Keeping your tree branches trimmed can help keep your roof performing as best as possible. Overgrown limbs and branches can fall onto your roof, and are an open invitation for pests like squirrels to hop onto your roof. It’s recommended to keep branches at least 10 feet away from your roof if possible. Trimming your trees is a dangerous job. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it, hire a pro!
4. Clean Any Leaves, Moss, or Algae
Leaves, moss, and algae all make perfect spots for moisture to be trapped on your roof. They can cause decomposition of your roofing materials or weed growth. It’s best to sweep all of it off gently with a soft-bristled broom, or gently rinse it away with a garden hose. If the areas need a more thorough cleaning, check out this blog for more information on how to clean a metal roof.
5. Seal Any Cracked Mortar or Caulking Around Joints and Chimneys
Part of your regular visual inspections should include inspecting both joints on your roof and chimneys. Looking for any cracks or breaks in the mortar or caulking can help ensure no water or other moisture enters into your roof. You should seal any cracks you see to make sure your roof is performing as best as possible and reduce the risk of moisture entering your home.
6. Avoid Ice Dams
Especially true for metal roofing, you should install snow guards to ensure you don’t have ice dams. Ice dams form at the joints in your roof and can cause moisture build-up. Installing snow guards can help you avoid this happening on your roof. They can also prevent snow avalanches, which is when large amounts of snow fall off your roof all at once. This can cause damage to your gutters and any landscaping, objects, or people below.
Regularly following these tips can help ensure your roof lasts as long as possible, and is able to perform to the best of its ability. If you have any questions about roof maintenance or metal roofing, get in touch with one of our Product Specialists today. Our team can help you choose the right type of metal roof and color or finish specifically for your project. Get started today by filling out our Get a Quote Form, or calling us toll-free at 1-833-STEEL-US.