How to Keep Your Roof in Optimal Contitions

Date: May 31, 2022

Every year, millions of homeowners replace their roof, either because it has reached the end of its lifespan or the last storm did a number on it. But even though everyone eventually needs to replace their roof, there are several maintenance tips for shingle roofs you can use to avoid tearing it off sooner rather than later:

1. Check Your Shingles Regularly

Look for missing shingles, curling shingles, cracked shingles, peeling flashing, and missing granules

2. Get a Professional Roof Inspection

An inspector will be able to spot potential problems you might’ve missed, as well as provide you with invaluable tips for maintaining your roof.

3. Look for Leaks in Your Attic & Ceilings

The most common warning signs of a leak are: Musty odors in certain rooms, water stains on your ceiling, spots on your exterior walls and bulging patches on your interior walls.

4. Wash Your Roof

A key piece of advice when it comes to maintaining a shingle roof is to wash it. At some point, your roof will start to look dirty, with long, dark streaks flowing from peak to eave. This is algae growing on your house. Algae won’t cause any immediate damage, but if you leave it long enough it can slowly rot your shingles.

5. Clean Your Gutters

Though it’s a dirty job, cleaning out your gutters is an essential part of maintaining your roof. Clogged gutters make it easy for water to seep under the structure of your roof, creating more than just a few water stains

6. Trim Any Overhanging Branches

Tree branches can be a problem for a few reasons, the most obvious being the risk of them falling on your roof during severe weather.

7. Patch Up Your Chimney

While running through your roof maintenance checklist, make sure you check out your chimney for cracks or missing mortar. Structural damage of any size can cause bricks to start falling out, which can damage your roof, let alone cause your chimney to collapse.

Source: 7 Roof Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Needs to Know