Top Roof Maintenance Tips
Regardless of whether you’re looking for a roofing company to replace your shingles or you want to do some roof maintenance on your own, there are several tips that you should know. These tips include checking the shingles for damages, inspecting the shingles from the ground, and avoiding leaks.
Preventing leaks
Keeping up with top roof maintenance is vital to the health of your home. Not only does it keep your roof in good shape, but it also helps prevent leaks. A leaking roof can cause costly damage to your home.
The best way to prevent leaks is to find and fix them before they get out of hand. You can check for leaks by looking for stains in the ceiling or walls. Then you can follow the streaks of stains to the source. If you can’t find the source, you’ll need to call a professional for help.
Roof leaks are caused by a variety of things. The most common culprits are the weather and people. Luckily, most problems can be avoided. The following are six maintenance tips to keep your roof in good shape.
Branches that hang too close to the roof
Branches that hang too close to the roof can be a nuisance and a serious problem. Not only do they interfere with the function of the roof, they can cause damage. This is a good reason to trim them back.
Overgrown trees can touch the windows or siding of your home. They can also drop leaves on your roof and gutters, clogging them up. This can lead to leaks and mold. If your home has a shingled roof, branches that rip off the shingles can strip away layers of asphalt.
In addition, trees with large canopies can provide ample shade. They are great landscaping features, but they can also be dangerous. Their branches can reach dangerous heights. During a storm, a large branch can break a window or fall onto your roof.
Inspecting shingles from the ground
Getting a roof inspection is important for home owners. Besides checking for signs of aging, a professional will look for loose, damaged or missing shingles. These can cause leaks or even structural damage. If you find any problems, you can contact a roofing contractor to fix them.
Shingles that are buckled or curled may mean that they have aged and are no longer protecting your home from wind and rain. They also may indicate that you need to replace your roof. You should also check for moss growth and signs of animal damage. These can lead to leaks and costly repairs.
Look for dark areas that won’t dry. These can be caused by moisture trapped underneath the shingles. You may also find moss growing among the shingles. Moss is a sign of roof decay. Roofing contractors can remove and treat the moss chemically.
Termites and Carpenter Ants
Termites and Carpenter Ants on top roof maintenance are two insects that can cause extensive damage to your home. These insects are social insects that can live and feed in colonies. Both insects are known for damaging wooden structures. Both insects are active during the day.
Carpenter ants are usually found around exit holes. They may also be found in the vicinity of door casings, window frames and insulation between ceiling joists. They are also able to survive on wood alone.
Both insects can damage your home, but they have differences in behavior. Carpenter ants prefer to nest in wood. Termites can also build nests inside wooden components of buildings.
Carpenter ants are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length. Their bodies are dark brown to black in color. They have two forewings and two smaller hind wings.
Maintaining your roof’s historical file
Keeping a roof in good condition is a top priority. The best way to do it is to find a trustworthy company that can do the job for you. A top notch roofing contractor will be your best bet for a roof inspection, repair and replacement. The most important part of any such relationship is communication. You need to be ready to answer questions about your property to be considered a valued customer. The aforementioned best practices will ensure a smooth ride from beginning to end. Keeping the right people happy will pay off bigtime in the long run.
In the spirit of a well executed roof maintenance program, you should do the following: – maintain a comprehensive roof maintenance logbook, – ensure all pertinent paperwork is filed away in a secure manner, – do regular quality control checks, – engage in a regular inspection and replacement program. In the event of a roof replacement, make sure to do a full inspection of the existing roof, – ensure the replacement is in line with the original manufacturer’s specifications, – be a pro and do a thorough inspection of the replaced roof prior to installation.