I’m sure it is no surprise when saying that your roof is an essential part of your home, and should be well-maintained to prevent premature damage and excessive wear and tear. No matter the roofing material covering your home, there is some form of maintenance required to ensure its longevity. There is a saying in the construction industry that maintenance is always cheaper than replacement. Paying a little attention to your roof on a regular basis, will help you detect any potential issues and rectify them before they become serious issues. To do this, you need an experienced roofer.
Here are 5 tips that will help you ensure your roof remains durable for years to come.
1. Clean Your Gutters
Clogged gutters can lead roof damage, as overflowing rainwater can find its way under your shingles causing damage to the wood structure or sheathing. To prevent this ugly incidence, clean your gutters regularly to guarantee the free flow of rainwater or snow melting down the gutters into downspouts.
2. Have Your Roof Inspected
Not many homeowners can say they have spent time on top of their home, in fact most homeowners have probably never been on the roof of their home. However, the best way to discover potential issues is from above. If you don’t feel comfortable climbing on to your roof, we suggest hiring an experienced roofer to inspect your roof for any potential issues such as; lifting shingles, missing shingles, cracks, holes, and signs of excessive wear and tear. Finding these issues early will give you the opportunity to address them before they become bigger issues.
3. Trim Tree Branches
Trees add shade and greenery to your yard, however, larger trees that hang over your home can lead to potential damage to your roof. Your roof covers a wide surface area and is exposed to all of the elements, after a major rainstorm and a winter with a lot of snowfall, your roof remains moist. Most of this moisture will evaporate throughout the day, but if you have a large tree that keeps your home in the shade all day, that evaporation process will take significantly longer. Trimming back the branches will ensure your roof dries in a timely manner, preventing potential damage to your roofing materials from sitting water. Another reason to ensure trees are trimmed is to prevent potential damage from falling branches or even the entire tree.
4. Fix Rusted Immediately
Even though it is rare, metal roofing can rust. There is a coating applied to metal roofing materials that are meant to prevent oxidation, however, if that coating is scratched or damaged during installation, maintenance inspections, or by some other means your metal roof can begin to rust. If you notice a rust mark or a copper colour smear on your roof, call your roofer to inspect it for potential rust development. They will clean the area with a wire brush and touch up the area to match the rest of your roof. This will help stop the development of rust and ensure your roof remains healthy for a long time to come.
5. Maintain Your Chimney
If your home has a chimney, it is a good idea to have it inspected every couple of years to ensure it is in excellent condition structurally. If there is any wear, have it fixed immediately, seals and fixing cracks and missing mortar on your chimney will help prevent any loose bricks from falling off the chimney and damaging your roof.
Just because your roof is out of sight, it shouldn’t be out of mind. Like any other part of your home, your roof requires some love and care to ensure it is in the best possible condition to stand up to the elements. Maintaining your roof regularly will help extend its life span, and prevent costly repairs, and possibly a replacement.
Profile Roofing is your trusted roofing company in Hamilton, Niagara, Oakville, and everywhere in between. We are a family-owned business with over 15 years of experience. Call 905-807-4288 to book a consultation today for your roof, gutter, and skylight needs!