Roof Best Practices: Care And Maintenance Tips For Your Roof – Part I: Roof Care: Regular Maintenance Is The Key
As a homeowner, it’s in your best interest to regularly check to see if there are any visible problems on your roof, so that you’ll know when to call in the professionals. A lot of roof problems, however, can be checked without having to leave the ground or step onto a ladder. For the most part, what you can see from a window on an upper floor, or from the ground looking up, is sufficient to tell whether or not you need a professional roof inspection.
Things to look for when inspecting your roof
Attic inspection – ceiling stains in the attic or any part of your home’s interior, is a sign that water is seeping into your home; this requires prompt attention. You’ll need to determine how, exactly, the water is getting in, and what other signs of roof failure are present.
Curling, peeling, or partially-lifted shingles – may indicate that your roof is nearing the end of its life. A large amount of shingle granules in your gutters is another indicator which, depending on when your roof was installed, may tell you that you need to replace your roof.
Missing shingles, or bald spots on the roof – a few missing shingles are easily replaced, but large denuded spots on your roof after a storm could indicate further roof damage as well.
Moss, fungus, or algae – it’s inadvisable to use a hard brush or a power cleaner to try to clean these off a roof, as you can actually cause more wear and tear when doing so. If your roof needs cleaning, contact a professional roof cleaner.
Rusty roof flashings – if your roof flashings are rusty, or the caulking needs to be redone, you’re at an increased risk of water penetration.
Debris on the roof – tree branches, leaves, and other debris can accumulate on your roof. This can prevent water from draining away from your roof efficiently. Left to accumulate, standing water can eventually find its way into your home.
So what do you do if you see something wrong with your roof? Call in the professionals for a full inspection! More on this in Part II.
