Keeping your roof in ship-shape will not only keep you safe from the elements but also save you a lot of time, effort and money. Taking care of the roof is a process that can be easily undertaken by homeowners to give it longevity and preclude the necessity to replace it every few years. While it is advisable to consult roofing experts like Allegiant Roofing to ensure you don’t end up damaging your roof, there are certain ways by which you can increase its durability.
In very cold areas of the country, roofs tend to accumulate snow and ice which then linger for days together. This may wreak havoc with the resilience and lasting power of your roof and cause extensive damage, like none other.
So you will need to take additional precautions to care for your roof by using an adequate amount of insulation in your home. This will go a long way in strengthening your roof by not letting ice impose much stress on it, which in some extreme cases may even lead to cracks and fissures in the roof.
Several houses with big trees around them have branches leaning over their roofs. While at first glance this may seem completely harmless, it may spell danger for the strength of your roof. Branches are prone to falling off in a storm or very strong winds, and if they were to hit your roof in specific ways, they could puncture it almost immediately.
Keep an eye out for such overhanging branches during your monthly inspections of the roof and trim the ones that seem potentially troublesome.
Conducting monthly inspections of your roof is essential to ensure everything is in order and in good health. If you see there is a lot of fallen leaves or other debris accumulating on your roof, they will need to be removed as soon as possible. Letting fallen leaves and other waste and scrap sit on your rooftop for continued periods of time could cause serious damage if not attended to for very long.
Power washing involves concentrated spraying of water and this may cause the granules from the top coating of your shingles to loosen leading to a lot of damage. Instead of a power spray, you can make use of a leaf blower or broom to get rid of the accumulated dirt and moss manually.
Sometimes ill-placed or inadequate attic soffits and vents can lead to condensation right on the plywood decking that are used as buttresses for your roof shingles. These water droplets then start making the wood fester and rot in the long run, making the shingle support weak from the inside. Besides that, watch out for exhaust fans that have not been placed properly as this too can lead to roof damage.
If there are gutters on the outer side of your home, have them properly cleaned at regular intervals. This will go a long way in preventing certain kinds of roofing materials like wooden and asphalt shingles from disintegrating with time. This is an uncomplicated process that will take a few minutes of your time each month but is extremely helpful in ensuring that your roofing system remains in great shape.
If your roof is neglected, it will manifest in various small and big ways that may cost you dear in the long run. This can be easily prevented by just being aware of what is going on in your roof at all times. A small routine inspection every few weeks can add years of life to your roof.