As a new homeowner you want to make sure your home is properly maintained. Nowhere is this more important than when it comes to the roof. Roof damages can affect your entire house if a leak occurs, so it's important to learn the maintenance needs of your specific roof as soon as you move in.
1. Learn Your Roof History
It's ideal if you can find out when the last roof was installed and whom it was installed by. In some cases, the roof may still be under warranty, which means any issues will be covered by the roofing contractor that performed the installation. It's also a good idea to know the age of the roof so you can estimate when you will need to plan for replacement, as this can help you budget your maintenance funds accordingly.
2. Small Damages Can Lead to Big Problems
No damage on your roof should be ignored. A roof inspection soon after moving in can uncover small problems, like missing shingles, popped nails, or broken vents so that you can have them repaired before leaks occur. Further, you should check your roof periodically for obvious damages so you can schedule a repair as soon as any small issue pops up.
3. Gutter Health Impacts Roof Health
A clogged gutter is more than a nuisance. If your gutters are dirty, water flowing off the roof will back up at the gutter trough and go beneath the shingles. This can lead to leaks in warm weather and ice dams in cold weather. Keep the gutters clean and make sure they are functioning properly at all times.
4. Flashing May Not Outlive the Roof
Flashing, which is the metal strips that seal chimneys and rooftop vents to the shingles, can have a shorter working life than the shingles themselves. Corrosion and wind damage are the most common reasons that flashing gives out, although simple aging can also be the culprit. Make sure to give your flashing a quick visual inspection every few months so you catch issues early.
5. Every Roof Has Unique Maintenance Needs
A roof growing in heavy shade, for example, may require more frequent cleaning to prevent moss growth. If you have large trees, you may need to carefully keep them trimmed so falling branches don't puncture the roof. Figure out what specific issues are more likely to affect your roof due to the materials it is made out of or because of its exposure so you can be sure to know what problems to keep an eye out for.
Contact a local roofing company like Roof Pro & Home Improvements, Inc. for more help.
Share
