Your home's roof is an expensive investment, which is you want it to last as long as possible. Here are a few ways that you can help increase the lifespan of your roof by performing routine maintenance.
Inspect The Attic
Many people think that inspecting your roof means getting out a ladder and walking on the surface. However, you can actually inspect your roof from the attic. You should be able to see if your roof deck is rotting because there will be discolored wood that is typically black in color. You can also see if your attic is being ventilated properly because it could be causing moisture damage to the underside of the roof deck material.
Clean The Gutters
Your home's gutters need to flow smoothly into the downspouts. That's because clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and get underneath the bottom of the roof deck. This will cause rotting wood that needs to be replaced, and it can all be avoided by cleaning the gutters to get rid of debris. In addition, clear gutters will prevent water from spilling over and collecting against your home's foundation.
Remove Debris
Pay attention to the debris that collects on the surface of the roof. Debris can cause moisture to get trapped underneath whatever is on your roof, which will lead to mold formation that can destroy the roofing material underneath it. This will eventually lead to water getting into your home. That's why you want to remove leaves from valleys and other areas where they gather when you see it build up.
Inspect The Flashing And Shingles
Many roof leaks happen due to damaged flashing around objects protruding out from the roof. You'll want to periodically inspect the flashing to make sure that it is not damaged and allow water underneath your roofing material. You'll typically see metal flashing that is rusting with holes in the surface, or caulking around the edges of flashing that has deteriorated.
You should also inspect the shingles at the same time that you inspect the flashing. Popped nails are something that can easily happen which cause a shingle to become loose. There is also a tar strip along the bottom edge of the shingle that can lose its adhesiveness and allow the wind to rip it off your roof. Asphalt shingles can lose their granules over time, and some shingles may just be cracked. You'll need to repair or replace any shingles that have notable damage.
Contact a residential roofing contractor today if you are in need of roofing services.
Once you watched someone put a roof on a home, you have a much deeper understanding of what's involved in this sort of work. Roofing is not easy. There's a big mental component since the roofers need to decide how how many shingles to use, how to best lay them out, and so forth. Then, there's the physical aspect of roofing. Lugging packages of shingles onto the roof is not easy, and nailing them down take a lot of work, too. With that in mind, we welcome you to read more about roofing on this blog. Let the articles inform your opinion of the profession.