11 Ways To Maintain Your Roof (Checklist)

Your roof is an important investment that will provide you and your family with years of protection from the elements while also ensuring a comfortable living environment. But in order for it to function at its best, it requires routine maintenance, just like many other parts of your house.

Roof Maintenance Checklist

It is critical to perform annual and semiannual tasks to help keep your asphalt shingle roof in good condition for the duration of its life. Many of the items on this list will take little time to complete and, like any seasonal chore, will help you save time and money in the long run.

11 Ways To Maintain Your Roof

Before You Get Started: Safety First & Minimize Roof Traffic

Safety should be your first priority before starting any roof work. Some maintenance tasks must be performed from the attic or from a ladder. Hiring a roofer is often the best way to ensure that the job is done correctly without putting you or a family member in danger. Roofing contractors are familiar with roof hazards and can identify problem areas that a do-it-yourselfer might miss. Request your free estimate today with Garfield 1-2323

Asphalt shingles are coated with tiny granules, which help to prevent UV degradation while also adding a three-dimensional color element to the surface. Unfortunately, excessive foot traffic can scuff granules. When walking on the roof, it is also possible to catch the edge of a shingle, causing it to lift or crack. As a result, it’s best to keep the number of roof walks to a minimum.

Seasonal Roof Care – Every Fall

1. Clean Your Gutters. Your gutter system’s role is to collect and direct water runoff from your shingles away from the foundation. ​​When gutters become clogged, water can back up beneath your shingles and overflow onto your siding or brick.

Make sure your gutters are securely fastened, clean, and free-flowing. Pay close attention to the locations where the gutter and wall meet at an angle.

In places that are particularly vulnerable to the elements, you might need to add gutter splash guards or kick-out flashing.

2. Limit Moss & Algae Growth. Environmental factors can contribute to moss and algae growth on your roof, including a north-facing roof, lots of shade trees and a wet climate. Large clumps of moss growing on your roof can damage shingles by raising the shingle edges and exposing the undersides to water.

Algae can leave unsightly dark streaks on the surface of a roof. A solution of chlorine bleach and water can be used to remove algae stains. If the environment on your roof is conducive to moss or algae growth, regular treatments may be the best solution.

3. Remove Nearby Tree Branches. Trees can disturb roof granules by rubbing against shingles, especially during windstorms, in a manner similar to the potential issues caused by walking on a roof. Trim branches as needed so that they don’t touch your roof or gutters even on the windiest of days.

4. Clear Off Organic Debris. Trees provide shade and beauty to your landscape in the summer. Unfortunately, they are a constant source of debris, from maple leaf helicopters in the spring to fallen leaves in the autumn. Organic matter absorbs water, causing your shingles to be in contact with moisture for extended periods of time. Additionally, as rain falls from your roof, they may pick up debris, which they then carry to your gutters.

Remove organic residue from your roof at least twice a year, if not more, depending on the amount of tree activity in your area. Depending on roof access, such as an upstairs window, you may be able to gently remove the debris with a broom or leaf blower.

Remember not to use a tool that will rub the shingles’ surface, as this may dislodge granules.

Roof Check-Ups

Weathering and natural aging can degrade even the best-designed roofs over time. That is why it is a good idea to inspect vulnerable areas on a regular basis.

5. Make Sure Nearby Wall Cladding and Windows Are Watertight. It’s a good idea to inspect the exterior of your home after a major rainstorm or extended period of precipitation. Look for areas that are still moist or have wet streaks. You could have gutter or soffit issues, causing water to run down your walls instead of downspouts.

Also, check your windows; look around the sills and casings for warping or loss of caulk.

These are all areas that can lead to moisture infiltration.

6. Inspect Flashing. Flashing ensures a watertight seal where two roof planes meet. Flashing may be found, for example, where your chimney or vent pipes emerge. Flashing is frequently used in roof valleys, which are formed when two roof slopes meet.

Look for a safe, comfortable vantage point to watch the flashing, such as a second-story window. If the flashing is rusted, dented, missing fasteners, or the sealant is rotting, you should contact a roofing contractor. They can inspect the flashing in greater detail to determine whether it needs to be repaired or replaced. Get your free estimate today.

7. Examine the Soil Stack. Some vent pipes are sealed with a rubberized gasket. The gasket or the sealant that goes with it can dry out and fall apart over time. Check that all roof penetrations are properly sealed against the elements on a regular basis.

Again, if you notice this from a safe distance, contact a contractor for an official inspection.

8. Beware of Ice Dams. Snow on the roof and cold temperatures may increase the risk of ice dams.

Ice dams form when snow melts on your roof (due to sun exposure or heat transfer from the roof deck), trickles down your roof, and then refreezes over the eaves.

Snowmelt eventually has nowhere to go and begins to pool on the shingle surface. This can cause shingle degradation as well as water infiltration into the roof deck.

Your best bet, however, is to have a professional inspect your attic for adequate ventilation and insulation. Ice dams can be reduced with proper attic ventilation and insulation. Get your free roofing estimate today.

Smart Roofing Practices

9. Confirm Open Ventilation. Proper ventilation is an important concept. Replacing warm, humid attic air with cool, dry air aids in the prevention of mold and mildew in the attic, as well as ice dams on the roof.

Check the following to ensure that the intake and exhaust ventilation vents are functioning properly.

• In the attic: Ensure that airflow is not obstructed by insulation, stored items, or insect hives, including the path up to the exhaust.
• Soffits: Make sure the soffit screens are clean and free of debris and paint.

10. Connect Dryer and Bathroom Vents Directly to the Outside. It is important that moisture-laden air from dryers and bathrooms exits your home. Building codes require outdoor venting in new construction.

Check that fans aren’t venting into attics or crawlspaces if you’ve purchased an older home. Mold and mildew problems can arise when warm, humid air is introduced into an attic or crawlspace.

Check your dryer hoses or ducts on a regular basis to ensure they’re not cracked and are securely attached.

11. Avoid Downspout Discharge on Your Roof. Downspouts that run from one level of your roof to the next should cover the whole span. Check that the upper downspout is connected to a lower-level gutter. This prevents runoff from flowing over the same section of your roof every time it rains, which can cause granules to become dislodged and algae stains.

Pro Tip: Make sure all the water discharge from the roof is flowing away from the foundation of your home.

Regular Roof Maintenance

A properly installed asphalt shingle roof is a beautiful, reliable system that should last for years. You can help protect your investment with regular maintenance; however, eventually, you may notice small warning signs that its time is coming to an end.

Have a contractor inspect your aging roof to see if it’s in need of a repair or replacement. By taking the initiative early on, you can avoid larger problems down the road. Call Garfield 1-2323 if you think you may need a new or repaired roof.