Must-Know Roof Maintenance Tips for Homeowners to Make it Last
Taking out some time from your busy schedule to make sure your roof is in tip-top condition is always harder. But believe us, roof maintenance is not as difficult as you may think. Regardless of the roof type you have, a bit of care and effort can make it last longer for many years. proper inspection, maintenance, and addressing any roofing issues as soon as possible boosts the durability of your roof and increase its life span as well. Not all roof maintenance tasks need to hire professionals, because there is a lot you can do yourself with a ladder and some basic tools.
To help you avoid extensive roof repairs and enhance durability, we have listed some must-know roof maintenance tips to ensure your roof is in excellent shape.
Treat for Moss and Algae
Moss and algae growing on your roof can cause extreme damage. This usually occurs in shady areas of the roof in the summer season. Just check your roof for moss and algae on a regular basis and remove yourself or hire a professional to do so. You should also apply products that contain copper and zinc to keep the algae and moss from growing again in the future. This will keep your roof clean to prevent damage and leakage.
Clean the Gutters Especially in Extreme Weather Conditions
Gutters are the most important part of any property to keep water and debris away from the foundation and roof. This is the reason; cleanliness of gutters is imperative to keep the water off your roof. When rainy days arrive, make sure to check your roof for leaves, tree branches, and other debris and clean the gutter properly to make sure they will function well during the rain or storm. Experts recommend the cleaning of roof gutters twice a year to keep water flowing flawlessly. If there are trees and other plants around your home, you should check the gutters for cleaning quarterly.
Remove Leaves, Tree Branches, and Debris from Your Roof
Roof debris can cause blockage of rainwater that can lead to serious damages and issues. That’s why, make sure to remove things like leaves, tree branches, and debris from your roof to avoid damage and growth of moss and algae. Furthermore, heavy storms and disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes can cause tree branches and limbs to fly freely, which can also be damaging to your roof. Checking the roof for debris and removing it instantly is very much important in the rainy season. If there are some giant trees with branches hanging on your roof, you should hire professionals to trim them in the best way possible instead of doing it yourself.
Look for Leaks in Your Attic & Ceilings
Finding the water stains inside your home is another good way to find roofing problems and issues that need to be fixed immediately. So, make sure to check your attic and ceiling for water leakage and damages that can head off any expensive roof repairs. If you find any water stains and leakage signs on your ceiling or walls, contact the best roofing contractors in your area to locate the exact issues and get them fixed immediately.
Remove Snow from your Roof
Snow on your roof in a heavy amount can cause roof collapse or other issues if not removed instantly. Old and shabbier roofs are unable to bear a huge amount of snow on them. And removing the snow with help of a snow rack is the only solution to protect such roofs from damage. If there is extreme snowfall in your area, make sure to hire professionals for snow removal and relieve the weight from your roof.
Ensure Proper Roof Ventilation
A roof needs to breathe properly as we do. If there is a lack of proper ventilation on your roof, excessive heat and moisture can weaken your roof by allowing moss and algae to grow. This also decreases the overall effectiveness of your roofing system to reduce its life span. You can install a quality insulation system for this purpose and remember to clean your roof often to avoid moisture and water leaks due to debris and non-functional gutters.
Get a Professional Roof Inspection
Why you should pay roofing contractors when you have a roof inspection and maintenance checklist on your hand?
The answer is years of experience and expertise they have. They are better able to find out potential roofing issues and problems you may miss while inspecting your roof yourself. They also offer pro tips for better roof maintenance to increase the life span of your roof. Getting a professional roof inspection once in a year helps you spot minor issues before they become expensive repairs.
Hire Professional Contractors for All Roof Maintenance and Repairs
Professional roofing contractors are experienced to tell when you should perform a repair or replace your existing roof with a new one. Most homeowners prefer repairs instead of replacing a roof just to save time and money. But sometimes repairs are useless to improve the condition of a roof. This is where expert advice comes into handy. Roofing professionals like A-to-Z contractors give their clients honest advice on whether they should opt for a quick repair or they should replace the entire roof to save money and prevent potential damages in near future. Roofing experts are highly skilled and professionally trained about what to look for during roof maintenance, how to work with different roofing types and keep detailed records of roofing jobs done for their clients. Hiring professional roofing contractors gives peace of mind and saves money in terms of the increased life of your roof.
Final Words
Roof maintenance is not a big deal if you are aware of the important things to pay the most attention to. If you have found some serious issues that you cannot handle yourself, consider hiring a team of expert roofers so they can inspect your roof further to spot potential roofing issues and help you repair them accordingly without taking a toll on your budget.
How to Identify Wind Damage to Your Roof
Roof damage can wreak havoc on a home following a severe storm. Luckily, roof contractors and insurance companies deal with this issue regularly, but having the best roofing and construction company in your back pocket can make all the difference.
Roof repair starts with the homeowner. So how do you learn to identify wind damage to a roof?
Let’s start with a few of the basics of recognizing the signs of wind damage to a roof.
Inspection Comes First
Immediately following a severe storm, make an effort to inspect for any storm damage – especially if you heard debris hitting your roof. That inspection includes the actual roof of your home and the inside to check for leaks.
Roof damage can occur due to lightning strikes, heavy rains, and flying debris hitting your home – not just heavy winds.
But what are you looking for in your inspection? Be on the lookout for anything that can cause roof damage following a severe wind storm, including damaged or loose shingles, cracking, bubbling, or moisture damage.
Signs of Wind Damage to Roof
You should be able to spot if the wind has managed to damage your roof. Here are a few things to look for if you suspect roof damage from wind.
#1. Displaced Shingles
Out of all the things to look out for when identifying wind damage to your roof, displaced shingles are usually the first thing you will spot.
Fully displaced shingles will usually land on the ground around your home, remain in pieces on your roof, or will curl up on your roof. However, displacement may manifest in more subtle ways, such as buckling, cracking, cupping, blistering, or flaking.
#2. Gutter Damage
Your gutters are the first line of defense for keeping water away from your roof lining. Unfortunately, it can be easy for the wind to damage gutters by dislodging or ripping them off the sides of your home. Inspect the perimeter of your home. You may locate gutters on the ground or leaning against the side of your home.
A damaged gutter can compromise the fascia boards and cause water to leak into the roof lining, ceilings, or between the walls and the siding.
#3. Soffit and Fascia Board Damage
As we just mentioned, damage to your fascia boards can be caused by the gutters ripping off the sides of your home. However, a fierce gust of wind can have the power to tear the fascia boards off your home. Soffits see damage during storms as well.
A severely damaged fascia board or soffit can help wind get under your shingles and tear them off the roof. Getting a fascia board replaced is paramount following a severe storm.
#4. Flashing Damage
The flashing of a roof is another critical aspect of the overall structure. Flashing helps prevent water damage by directing water to gutters or off the side of your home. In addition, flashing is put under your shingles to provide another layer of protection.
Unfortunately, it can be prone to failure during severe storms. A powerful gust of wind can rip, bend, or tear a piece of flashing.
#5. Chimney Damage
A chimney is usually a densely constructed portion of your home’s structure. However, depending on the chimney’s age, a severe storm can cause severe damage.
Catastrophic damage is easy to spot, but there are subtle signs your chimney may have suffered damage. After a storm, if you notice water seeping through the chimney or near the joints between chimney and roof, the flashing may have been damaged. Similarly, if you notice water leaking down the chimney itself, then your cap may have suffered damage. If you see cracks in the brick or mortar of your chimney, there may be structural damage.
What To Expect If You Need Roof Repair After a Storm
Chances are, you will need to call a trusted roofing repair contractor for help if you are dealing with damage after a severe storm. However, you’ll also need to contact your insurance to inform them of the issues and learn more about your plan’s coverage.
If you determine help is necessary following your inspection, a team of experts will arrive at your home and perform a thorough inspection to see if any further roof damage occurred.
That rigorous inspection comes with more than a spot check of noticeable damage to your roof. A reliable construction team will use infrared cameras and moisture tests to see if the storm caused any water damage. Then, they’ll check your gutters for damage and clogs to ensure you receive a detailed analysis of any issues.
Following the inspection, customers should get a report and a recommendation on whether the roof needs repairs or to be replaced outright. A good construction team will not leave without touching base on what needs to be repaired and a plan of how much it will cost.
You may ask yourself, “Does insurance cover wind damage to my roof?” It depends on your insurance. A reputable construction team will work with insurance companies to establish a financial solution for you.
Once we all decide on a plan for your repair, A to Z Construction works with you to establish a time frame and how we plan to move forward. Then, once the repair is complete, you will rest easy knowing your roof has been repaired by a group of professionals with decades of experience.
There is no need to worry about cleaning up behind us, either. Our team will clean up around your home, so there is no threat of stepping on a roofing nail after we leave. Our work speaks for itself.
Contact A to Z Construction for More
A to Z Construction is a one-stop-shop kind of company when it comes to storm damage repair, roof installation, and maintenance. So if you feel any way about your roof following a severe wind storm, an inspection by us is an impactful way to reduce your anxiety.
Contact us today, and we will get you set up with a free roof inspection and a full report on what might need to be repaired or replaced.
For quality work and unmatched customer service delivered 24 hours a day and seven days a week, A to Z Construction wants to be your contractor of choice.
