A new roof can be expensive for most home owners. There are several ways you can protect your investment and keep it from sustaining unnecessary damage. It does not matter if your roof is old or new, it is never too late to start preventative care. Make sure to stay safe and use binoculars to inspect your roof if climbing a ladder is not an option. If you suspect you have roof damage call a competent roofing company to schedule a roof inspection. The following tips will help you increase the life of your roof.
Inspect the Gutters
A clogged gutter can ruin the paint on the side of a home and create wet conditions in a basement. Gutter overflow tends to go upward instead of downward. This type of overflow happens when leaves pile up in a gutter and force water upward, sometimes wicking into the sheathing of a roof and causing it to rot. If left too long, this type of problem can rot roof rafters. Unclogging your gutters sounds like it is an easy fix, but if it is not attended to at least twice a year during fall and spring; it can cost thousands of dollars’ worth of damage. The actual task should not take any longer than two to three hours depending on the size of your house.
Leaf Removal
If low landscaping is close to your roof line, you probably need to make sure any collection of leaves is removed from your roof. Each roof style is different. Some are steep enough for leaves to fall from a roof while others simply collect them. While this may seem harmless, a collection of leaves can trap moisture and start to decompose. Once moisture has accumulated on your roof it creates fertile grounds for the growth of weeds. Consider using a telescoping pole or car-washing brush to reach piles of leaves and remove them. If the piles are too deep or wet you can try washing them off with a garden hose or you may need to call a professional roofing company to help remove them. Do not use a power washer since this can cause significant damage by forcing water beneath shingles.
