Roof Maintenance 101
You wouldn’t assume that your dishwasher would properly wash your dishes without soap, or an old rusted bike would work without any grease… Then why would you assume that a dirty roof would protect your home? Most people assume that a roof is good to go after installing, but roof needs maintenance to perform properly. Here in this Aspen article, we go over the many different steps you can take to maintain your roof.
Pesky Overhangs:
You should make sure that you trim any overhanging branches over your roof. This prevents damage from animals seeking food or shelter in your unsuspecting roof. This also allows for the prevention of branches breaking in a storm, falling and ripping a hole in your roof. Branches should be kept at least 10 feet away, to help debris such as sticks and leaves from falling on to your roof and gathering.
Okay, so you’ve trimmed the branches, but not before you could prevent sticks and leaves from gathering on your roof. That’s okay, you can simply sweep or blow off any debris with a leaf blower or a soft car washing brush. It is important to remove leaves and sticks because they may gather in roof valleys or near chimneys, allowing for moist to become trapped in them. This can lead to moisture in your roof, which can cause algae or moss to grow.
Moisture prevention:
Suppose the leaves and branches did form moisture, you can keep an eye out for streaks or discoloration of roofing shingles. If you notice this make sure you take care into looking in the situation right away. Moss and algae can turn into mold and fungus and will eventually deteriorate the materials on the roof. This can lead to drastically shorting the lifespan of your roof and can cause other problems for the home such as leaks. To remedy mold problems you can install zincs strips that fight against fungus, moss, and algae. A chlorine bleach, water, and detergent mix can kill black algae.
Apply the solution only where there is growth, and brush it away; try to keep the water from getting into storm drains. Do not power wash your roof because the pressure of a washer can cause damage to shingle granules or damage under the shingles, even if it is not visible. Check your attic for any signs of moisture, because roof ventilation is often overlooked. Many homes are under ventilated which means that their roofs can have a reduced life because trapped moisture can lead to moisture damage to framing and others parts of the roofing system.
Scrubbing and Repairs:
Make sure you clean your gutters and scrub away dirt and grunge with a soft bristled brush. To learn more about cleaning your gutters check out Aspen’s Gutter Guide Make sure you keep an eye on broken vents, turbines, or flashing. Catching something that needs to be repaired, early, can mean the difference between having to replace an entire roof or not. Make sure you check whether the chimney needs cleaned, resealed, or repaired. Also, check old caulking or paint and repair where necessary. If you see any cracks, loose areas, or holes in the roofing system make repairs as quickly as possible. Taking notes, and keeping an eye on these areas can help increase the longevity of a roof life by preventing leaks and structural damages.
If you expect anything out of the ordinary, feel free to give Aspen a call. Aspen Contracting prides itself on helping their customers by providing roof inspections free of charge. 877-784-ROOF