Roof Best Practices: Care And Maintenance Tips For Your Roof – Part III: Proper Care: Keeping Your New Roof As Good As New
If you’ve just had to go through the installation of a new roof on your home, you’re unlikely to want to go through any of that again any time soon. Proper care and maintenance, however, starts from day one of getting your new roof. So what should you be doing that you weren’t already doing? Here are some things to consider when caring for your new roof:
Schedule regular inspections
It’s generally recommended that you give your roof a good visual once-over at least once a month, to see if you can spot any problems. Even if you don’t see anything that would indicate a possible problem, however, you should still schedule a professional roof inspection at least once a year. This improves your ability to detect, and act on, potential roof problems early.
Prevent standing water
The easiest way to prevent water from pooling on your roof and causing problems later on is to make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris. If you find yourself having to clean them too often, installing gutter screens or covers can reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning them.
Leave roof work to the professionals
Roofing repair or replacement is best left to qualified professionals; you should also reconsider taking it upon yourself to do even simple cosmetic work, such as painting your roof. If your new, or mostly new, roof requires a touch-up so soon after installation, the roof should still be under warranty, so you should contact your roofing contractor.
Avoid walking on your roof
Environmental conditions can drastically affect your roof’s ability to take extra weight. If you’re not experienced in exactly where to put your weight on your roof, you could end up damaging it.
Take care when cleaning your roof
Certain forms of roof cleaning can cause damage to your roof. Bleach, for example, is corrosive, and in addition to weakening your roof’s shingles the bleach can also run into your groundwater. Pressure washing can erode the granules on your shingles and affect their ability to keep out the elements. For best results, go with a professional roof cleaning service.
