How to Preserve Your Roof

By Dymon BradyOftentimes, a roof that has an expected life of 25-30 years can be expected to have problems much sooner after installation if it is not kept up correctly. Areas with varied weather conditions, including high winds, humidity, rain, snow and ice can cause wear and tear on our roofs and homes, which must be carefully controlled. However, if you take steps to preserve your roof, it can last for much longer.Inspect Your Roof RegularlyFirst, make sure you are carrying out regular inspections of your roof. Check the roof from the ground once a month. Inspect your gutters from the ground. If you see any build up, carefully clean them out. If debris is allowed to collect, water may back up and damage your roofs fascia. You should be able to see any significant damage by doing these monthly inspections from the ground.However, it is best to catch any damage while it is small and easy to repair. To catch these damages, inspect your roof more closely by either walking throughout the roof or inspecting it from several angles from a ladder. Be sure to carefully inspect your gutters and your roof. These inspections should be done yearly. You can also hire a roofing company to do a roof inspection annually or every 3-5 years.Keep Your Roof Clear of Trees and BranchesNext, as you carry out these routine checks, be aware of any trees or branches near your roof. If any branches are hanging over your roof, trim them down away from your home. In windstorms, branches often fall and damage roof structures and shingles. Also, if branches are allowed to grow out to where they are brushing against your roof, they can cause damage simply by wearing down your shingles or membrane over time.Winter can pose some new dangers. If a tree is hanging above your roof, snow may accumulate on the branches, freeze, and then fall to your roof as large hunks of heavy ice. This can damage your roof as it falls. Avoiding these scenarios can lengthen the life of your roof significantly.Remove Leaves and Debris RegularlyEven if you keep your roof clear of trees and branches, leaves can still be blown onto your roof. If these are allowed to sit and build up across the roof, they will accumulate moisture and may cause problems with mold or algae. They are also a perfect place for pests and insects to inhabit. During the fall season, be sure to sweep off your roof as you see the need.Leaves can also be blown into your gutters along with other debris. Not only does this debris inhibit your gutters from doing their job, but they can wear down both your gutters and your roof, particularly the fascia. Be sure to clean out your gutters regularly throughout those autumn months.Upkeep Your Attic’s Ventilation SystemPerhaps the most often forgotten aspect of a roof is the attic ventilation. However, if the attic ventilation is not set up properly, or if it is allowed to become clogged or blocked, the consequential problems can become quite costly. If the attic heats to an extreme temperature, the structure of your roof and it’s integrity can be greatly diminished. For more information about attic ventilation, see our ventilation post.Finally, be sure to stay away from pressure washers in your endeavor to lengthen the life of your roof. Many homeowners swear by pressure washing their shingles to preserve and clean them. However, this procedure simply weathers away at your roof and accelerates it’s wear and tear. If you feel your roof needs extra help after performing the upkeep we have suggested, call a roofing professional.Brady Roofing is willing and able to perform regular roofing inspections, as we are confident that we can detect small problems before they become large and costly. For a free estimate or inspection, contact us at www.bradyroofing.net.