It can be easy to forget to engage in preventive roof maintenance. However, regular preventative roof maintenance can make your life much easier. Roof problems can be an expensive and difficult nightmare, but preventative care is simple and easy. Read on to find out how you can prevent roof problems and save yourself money and stress.
Perform an Inspection
You should inspect your roof annually. Ideally an inspection should be performed from a ladder leaned up against the rooftop, but if you’re not a fan of heights and your roof can be seen from the ground, a pair of binoculars can help you get a good look from the ground. Either way, it’s not a good idea to walk on your roof any more than absolutely necessary. Staying off your roof is not only safer for you, but safer for your roof.
Work your way around your house, keeping an eye out for signs of trouble:
- Cracks in the caulk or rust spots
- Buckling, curling, broken, blistering, or missing shingles
- Cracked or worn boots around vent pipes
- Growths of lichen and moss, which can indicate decay underneath. Black algae stains may be unsightly, but they don’t indicate a structural problem with your roof.
While you’re up there, you may also want to ensure that your chimney cap is not missing or damaged. You should also check for grit from roof tiles in your gutters, which can indicate that your roofing is ending its life cycle.
You should also look for signs of leaks like dark areas on ceilings, peeling paint under roof overhangs, damp spots alongside fireplaces, and water stains on pipes venting the water heater or furnace. Don’t forget to check inside the attic.
Make Easy Repairs
Now that you know the condition of your roof, you can fix any minor problems. Replace any loose, damaged, or missing tiles. Hammer any loose nails back in place. Replace any rusting or deteriorating caulk flashing or vent boots. Use caulk to reseal metal and vinyl flashing around skylight, vents, and chimneys.
Other Roof Protecting Chores
In addition to these repairs, there are a few other chores you can do to keep your roof safe and protected. Trim back any tree limbs hanging over your roofing to allow moisture to better evaporate and prevent damage to the roof if the branches fall. Trimming back these limbs also prevent pests from accessing your roof, which can allow them to damage it, as well as enter your home via vents or chimneys. Clean your gutters to prevent growth of algae, moss, and other plants and fungi that can spread across your roof and cause damage. While you’re at it, go ahead and remove these growths from your roof using a brush, rake, or power washer.
Plan for Professional Repairs
If you have severe roof problems or simply want to wash your hands of roof maintenance all together, a professional roofing company is your best bet. If you’re planning on having a professional service your roof, contact them right away to make sure you don’t forget, letting major roof issues escalate. Problems that may require professional intervention include large scale replacement or repairs (damage spanning an about 10 foot by 10 foot section or larger), replacing flashing or boots around vents, chimneys, and skylights, and repairing flashing in valleys.
Know When to Replace Your Roof
If your roof is severely damaged or more than 15 years old, it may be time to replace your roof. Replacing your roof can be costly, but this investment can pay off. Just saving the headache of a severe roof problem is enough of an advantage, but even more, you can recoup 105 % of the cost of replacing your roof when you sell your home. To maximize your investment, hire an experienced, skilled, and well-reviewed roofing company, like Preman Roofing.
Preman Roofing has been servicing the San Diego area since 1999 with the same mission: to deliver safe and ethical roofing services to families and businesses in San Diego and the surrounding communities based on a foundation of communication, strong work ethic, and caring for others. We provide a variety of roofing services, including repair and replacement for both residential and commercial properties. With each job we do, our customers have the opportunity to speak with multiple experts to get the best possible custom roofing experience, with all construction performed within a week. It’s obvious why our customers are thrilled to give us rave reviews. Whatever roofing maintenance or service you need, contact Preman Roofing today to get all your roofing issues taken care of.
