When people are talking about their shelter, they always say, “I’m glad I have a roof over my head!” That just shows how important roofs are. People don’t say, “I’m sure happy that I have walls surrounding me,” or “Wow, it’s such a relief to have doors in my home,” or even, “Thank God I live in a place with windows!” In the end, walls, doors, and windows would be useless if you didn’t have a roof. Your roof keeps out all of the elements like wind, rain, and high temperatures to ensure you stay comfortable year-round. Can you imagine not having a roof? You wouldn’t be too comfortable. You may even find yourself living alongside birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other creatures if your ceiling was one big, gaping hole!
If you want to keep the elements out and make sure your home is comfortable, then you need to make sure you care for your roof. Roof maintenance is essential for every structure, so make sure that you take it seriously. Here are five roof maintenance tips to get you started:
1. Have a Professional Inspect Your Roof Annually
You can never be too cautious with roof maintenance. You should invest in this part of your home to avoid future issues, and that often means working with a professional. It is easy to miss signs of damage if you do not know what to look for. An expert will be able to identify problems earlier on before they grow into more costly issues. While we understand wanting to cut back on costs by only performing DIY roof maintenance, we strongly recommend getting annual inspections.
2. Keep Your Gutters Clean
Wait, your gutters can affect your roof? Yes, that’s right. When you do not keep your gutters clean, it can cause damage to your roof. If water pools in your gutters, it will leave standing puddles on your roof, which will eventually cause rot and sinking. Dirty gutters can also encourage algae growth. Algae eats away at shingles after a time. Proper gutter maintenance is part of roof maintenance. It is important to keep your gutters clean anyways, or you may end up with foundation and siding problems as well if you do not invest in cleaning.
3. Care For Your Chimney
Your chimney’s health can also affect your roof’s health. If your chimney is crumbling, pieces of it can fall off and damage your shingles. If it is safe for you to climb on your roof, you can check to make sure the mortar on your chimney is intact. Do you notice any cracks? It’s time to call a professional to patch them up. Taking care of chimney damage right away ensures you won’t experience roof damage.
4. Don’t Let Your Trees Get Overgrown
Trees are a wonderful thing to have near your home. They provide shade during the hotter months, and they also are a great place for you to hang a swing for your children. Additionally, trees provide some privacy when they surround your home, blocking people’s views. Not to mention they are beautiful and make your yard look more elegant. But trees pose some hazards as well, especially during storms and blustery weather. Wind can rip branches off and fling them onto your roof. It can also cause branches to move violently, another cause of roof damage. That is why it is important to trim your trees. Do not let tree branches hang over your roof or even nearby. Keep your landscaping at bay.
5. Keep an Eye (and Ear) Out For Pests
Pests aren’t just a problem inside. Pets can still cause damage to your home, even when they stay outside. Animals like birds, squirrels, rats, and bats can all harm your roof. Birds and bats leave corrosive droppings behind that eat away at shingles. Squirrels and rats can make holes in your shingles. Rats also have a bad habit of chewing. These rodents chew anything, including shingles, roofing beams, electrical wires, and anything else you can think of. Make sure you take a peek at your roof once in a while to see if there are signs of animal inhabitation. Also, listen while inside your home. If you hear scratching, squeaking, and chirping above you frequently, you need to contact a pest control company.
We Can Help With Roof Maintenance and More!
Caring for your roof is part of being a homeowner. While it is easy to overlook this part of your home, we encourage you to take roof maintenance seriously. And of course, we always encourage you to contact a professional when you need help. Our team at BetterBuilt Builders is here to assist you whenever you need us. We do roof maintenance, repair, and much more. Contact us today to learn more about our roofing services!