4 Things To Know About Caring For The Roof On Your First Home

You have a lot of things to learn about maintaining a house when you're a first-time homeowner. While you'll have major parts of the home, such as the roof, inspected before you buy the house to make sure they're in good shape, that doesn't mean your roof won't develop a leak due to poor maintenance. Here are a few things to know about caring for your roof as a first-time homeowner.

1. Remove Leaves From The Roof And Gutters

It's important to keep the gutters cleaned out so rain can flow away from the roof. When gutters are full of leaves, the water can back up under shingles and cause roof damage. Plus, the damp leaves can attract insects and other pests that can do damage to your roof.

It's good to remove leaves from your roof too if they get stuck in a valley or behind the chimney. Damp and rotting leaves hold moisture against the shingles, and that can lead to mold or water damage.

2. Keep Trees Trimmed Away From The Roof

If there are trees next to your house now, consider trimming them so the branches don't grow toward your roof. Be careful in the coming years about planting a tree too close to your house or letting a tree grow up naturally if the limbs will spread over the roof. Rats and other destructive wildlife gain access to your roof by climbing up tree limbs.

Also, if the branches hang too low, they will scrape granules off the shingles when the wind blows, and that can shorten the life of your roof. It's best to keep trees away from your house. Plus, when there are no close trees, you won't have to worry about limbs breaking off during a storm and crashing on the roof.

3. Watch Your Roof For Signs Of Damage

If you keep an eye on your roof, you may spot missing or damaged shingles before your roof starts leaking. Don't delay calling a roofing contractor when you see signs of damage or when you find a roof leak. It's common for asphalt shingle roofs to leak at some point over their life due to storm or animal damage. The goal is to find damage early so a roofer can make repairs before your home sustains water damage.

4. Have Moss Removed Promptly

If your roof gets plenty of sun, you may never have to worry about moss. However, if you notice moss growing on your roof, talk to a roofer about the best way to remove it without harming the shingles. Moss spreads and sends out roots that lift and damage shingles, so you don't want to let moss grow, even if it does have a quaint appearance.


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