Roof maintenance tips probably aren’t on your list of fun Friday night plans, but making some time to take care of such an important part of your home is totally worth it. Not only will it make sure your home stays dry and rot free, but it can also save you money in the long run.
Inspect Your Roof and Attic
Your roof is a whole lot more than just shingles. Roof maintenance means making sure all the parts of your roof are functioning properly. When you’re doing a roof inspection you need to examine the flashing, joints, and seals. Look at anyplace where something goes in or out of the roof. Check the edges, gutters, chimneys, and skylights. Don’t forget to inspect where the roofing bumps up against siding, brick, or other non-roofing materials.
If your roof is difficult to access or has lots of nooks and crannies, you may want to let us help. Our cutting-edge drone tech makes viewing your roof easy and safe.
Attics are the flip side of your roofing, and it’s important to look inside as well as outside. When you’re inspecting an attic look for rot, holes in your insulation, or damage from water, animals, and insects
Clean Up your Roof
Roof maintenance isn’t a big job if you stay on top of it. The most important part is to keep it clear of debris which can lead to damage, rot, and water penetration.
- Trim trees
- Clear branches
- Pick up leaves
- Clean out gutters
- Clear heavy snow
Look for branches that overhang your roof and remove them. You want to make sure that your roof is clear of all debris. These tips can save a ton of money in the long run, extending the life of your roof and preventing expensive damage.
If you want to live under your roof, there are other things that want to live on it: mosses, algae, and lichens can all make homes on your roof. This is especially true if leaf mold starts decomposing. It creates a perfect environment for growth. So do yourself a favor: keep your gardens on the ground, and your roof free of debris.
Install Insulation or Ventilation
After you’ve inspected your roof and attic another way to save some money is to install insulation or ventilation in your attic. The proper insulation can keep your roof from warping as well as reducing heating and cooling costs.
Installing ventilation can save you in both summer and winter. In the summer ventilation releases the hot air built up in your attic, and in the winter, warm moist air from the house can rise up and collect in your attic, creating moisture, and even causing ice dams. Ventilation takes care of both of these problems.
A quick tip: A build-up of ice or icicles on your roof is a warning sign that you have either an insulation or ventilation (or both) problem. We offer free attic inspections to uncover the problem.
Fix Small Problems When They’re Small
One of the best roof maintenance tips we can give you is to fix small problems while they’re still small. It’s so easy to ignore or overlook the small things. There’s always something bigger to pay attention to. If you can fix roof problems with some sealant or insulation, you can save yourself from a ruined roof. Save yourself the cost of a new roof by getting your roof repaired as soon as there’s a problem.
Use all your senses to note changes and problems with your roof:
- Listen for the scrabbling sound of rodents or other animals making a home.
- Look for water damage patterns in your attic or even on the drywall in your house. Keep an eye out for plant debris.
- Feel for dampness where it shouldn’t be. Inspect joins, look for dried or peeling sealant, bent flashing, cracked masonry, or degrading shingles.
Roof Maintenance tips can get you started in the right direction for home maintenance so that you can worry less about your home and more about what matters to you. Just by keeping an eye on your roof, you can note problems before they become disasters. Keeping things tidy can avoid damage and installing the correct insulation and ventilation can make sure your attic is perfectly cool no matter what the weather is like.
About Weather Vane Roofing
We provide roofing, siding, insulation, windows, and gutters. Making your house beautiful and efficient is our main goal. We use the latest in technology and products to provide eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions for your home and business. With locations in Lansing, Owosso, and Brighton/Howell we are Mid-Michigan’s roofing experts. Let us transform your house into a home.
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