Maintenance Tips for Getting the Most Life Out of Your Roof
Homeownership is great, but it takes time and commitment to keep a house in good shape. Take your roof, for example—roof repair in Traverse City, MI can be a simple shingle replacement or as complex as a brand-new installation. Below are some maintenance tips to help prevent damage to your roof and extend its lifespan.
Clean out the rain gutters
It’s important for homeowners to clean out their gutter systems before, throughout and after the rainy seasons to prevent clogging. If gutters are left unattended, they can fill with dead leaves, twigs, animal nests, other debris and rain water quickly. The results are many, ranging from water cascading over the edges of roofs and ruining landscaping to water-damaged building materials. For example, clogged gutters can ruin paint on siding and flood your basement.
Did you know that water overflow can also go upward? This occurs when leaves are piled high in a gutter. The water can wick into roof sheathing or roof rafters and rot it. Avoid clogged gutters and expensive damage by cleaning gutters during the fall and spring. Do it yourself or hire a professional.
Remove dropped leaves and debris
Depending on the design of your roof, leaves may not blow right off the shingles in the breeze. This is especially a problem for rooftops with trees nearby or hanging over them. Too many leaves can lead to leaf piles collecting in roof valleys or around rooftop features like chimneys and vents.
To keep moisture buildup and decomposition at bay, remove leaves and other debris from your roof as soon as possible. Removing leaves from a low sitting roof might not be hard to do with an extendable pole and brush. However, if you deal with leaf accumulation issue every year, you might consider investing in a specialty roof rake or a leaf blower. Leaves that are too wet or too high up on the roof can be gently hosed off, but don’t use a pressure washer for this, because it could force water under the shingles.
Trim nearby trees
One of the easiest ways to avoid costly roof repairs is to maintain any overhanging trees nearby. Tree trimming is well worth it to keep leaves and other organic matter off your roof. Removing overhanging limbs and leaves can save your roof from damage in the event that they may make contact with shingles during storms. You might also consider removing big portions of branches that hang over your home’s roof as a preventative measure. A heavy branch can crash down in a major storm and damage your roofing materials.
Overhanging branches are like nature’s ladders and bridges, giving squirrels and other animals quick access to your roof. They plop down, then gnaw on roofing and siding materials. The best way to prevent a variety of roof damage is to keep branches at least 10 feet away from all sides of your roof.
If you need roof repair in Traverse City, MI, don’t hesitate to contact the roofing professionals at Qualified Roofing. We look forward to assisting you!
Categorised in: Roof Repair