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12 Ways to Keep Your Roof Strong Through All Seasons
Your roof is the most expensive “shield” your home has, protecting your family from the weather all day and night. But a lot of homeowners don’t think about it and just leave it alone. If you don’t take care of your shingles, it’s like driving a car for 50,000 miles without changing the oil. A tiny mistake can turn into a big problem. You may save thousands of dollars on early replacement expenses and make your investment last longer by putting a proactive roof care strategy in place.
The 12 Steps of Seasonal Roof Maintenance
If you keep a routine for roof repair, you won’t be surprised by a leak during a nighttime storm. Follow these 12 important precautions to keep your home safe and dry.
In the spring and summer, focus on growth and heat.
- Check for Storm Damage: Look for shingles that are damaged or missing after the previous frost.
- Look for moss and algae: In the summer, when it’s humid, these things can grow and eat away at the granules in the shingles.
- Check the attic ventilation: Make sure your roof can “breathe” so that the heat doesn’t deform the decking.
- Check the Sealants: Look at the caulking around the vents and chimneys. High UV radiation might make it crack.
Fall and Winter: Garbage and Water Drainage
- Clear the Gutters: The most common reason for basement flooding and roof rot is clogged gutters.
- Trim branches that droop down: Keep them at least 10 feet away so they don’t scrape or let rodents in.
- Get rid of trash in the valleys: Leaves stuck in the valleys of your roof keep moisture on your shingles.
- Prevent Ice Dams: Make sure your attic is well insulated so that snow doesn’t melt and freeze again at the eaves.
Health All Year
- Check the Flashing: Make sure the metal strips around the joints are tight.
- Check for leaks inside: Look for water stains or light coming through the ceiling of your attic.
- Granule Check: If you find “sand” in your downspouts, it means your shingles are almost done.
- Professional Evaluation: Hire a professional contractor to do regular roof maintenance so that you don’t overlook anything that an unskilled eye might miss.
FAQs
When thinking about how often to undertake roof repair, it helps to know the “why” behind the “when.”
When and how often
- How often should I check my roof?
At least once a year, a professional should check your roof. In the fall, it’s best to do routine roof maintenance to get ready for winter. - When is the ideal time of year to have a new roof?
The “Goldilocks” zones are late spring and early fall. The weather is warm enough for shingles to seal correctly, not too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter.
Tips for Expert Maintenance
- Should I cut back the tree branches that dangle over?
Yes. Branches are like a highway for mosquitoes and like sandpaper for your roof. Cutting is an important part of taking care of a roof at home. - How to take care of a flat roof vs. a slanted roof?
You need to examine flat roofs more often because they don’t let water run off naturally. If your roof is flat, you should check the drains every month as part of your roof maintenance plan.
When Maintenance Isn’t Enough, Look for Signs of Trouble
Even the best regular roof care can’t always stop time from moving on. If the damage is only in one place, you might want to think about getting it fixed. If your roof is older than 20 years or the shingles are curling and “balding” all over the surface, though, you probably need to replace the whole thing. If you do regular roof repair every year, you can plan for this cost instead of being caught off guard by an emergency.
The Financials of Maintenance
Taking care of your home’s roof is an investment, not just a cost. An expert assessment could cost $300, but it could save you $12,000 on a new roof. Remember that insurance companies typically turn down claims if they can show that a leak was caused by not taking care of the roof.
The End: A roof that lasts for 30 years is all about consistency. You can keep your property secure and its value high by following a roof maintenance routine.