A roof protects your home from the damaging effects of the elements. Whether you have a home with a flat roof or one with a pitched roof, you want to protect it from any potential damage. It's an important part of your home's infrastructure, making it a prime target for any disasters that could harm your property. To keep your roof as healthy as possible, you have to understand its maintenance needs. Many components work together to keep your roof in top shape. Let's explore what they are and how you can care for them.
Maintain Your Gutters Clean
If water is running along your home's exterior and creating a puddle on your roof, don't worry about it; this shouldn't be a big problem if you follow the instructions for gutter cleaning. However, if water has built up over time, you'll need to make sure that it drains properly. Gutter guards are meant to help take care of this maintenance, but they often clog more than stop leaks. Before you throw out all hope of keeping rainwater off your roof, call a professional. They can give you tips about the best ways to keep water off your roof without clogging your gutters.
Monitor Your Shingles
Your roof is probably made up of several different types of materials. One of these materials is asphalt shingles, which cover the majority of roofs. They come in three main colors: white, gray, and black. Each color also contains numerous shades. When a storm hits, your shingles will absorb some water droplets. The roof won't let go until the water evaporates or dries out. Over time, moisture can get trapped between layers of shingles. This can cause issues like mold forming if the material isn't cared for properly. If you see wet spots, be prepared to fix them yourself. You may also notice a change in your roof after a heavy rainstorm. Call residential roofing experts if you feel anything strange going on. You might not even recognize the signs because they're subtle. Even though they look fine now, your roof could become damaged later.
Get Rid of Moss and Mold
If your roof has been exposed to extreme weather conditions, it's likely accumulated mildew and fungus. These harmful substances can easily grow on your home's surface. Your next step should be to wipe away the mold using a damp cloth. Wipe down the entire area with disinfectant to be safe. After removing the mold, you'll want to use a waterproofing spray on the spot so that it doesn't return. Another way to prevent it from occurring again is by making sure that you regularly inspect your roof. Look around the perimeter for cracks, holes, and discoloration.
Use Strong Insulation
While we're talking about the outside of our homes, you'll also want to ensure that the interior stays warm during the winter months. If you happen to live near a place where there's no climate control, such as Alaska or Hawaii, you're going to need to invest in proper insulation. If you have an attic, you can add insulation inside it. Ensure that you've sealed windows, doors, and electrical outlets so that the cold air can't sleep inside. Keep your furnace well maintained to run all season efficiently. Don't forget about the walls either. Insulate those too to reduce unwanted heat loss. When you do this, you'll be able to save money in the long term.
As you can see, taking good care of your roof is essential to its lifespan. Many people think it's a waste of money to hire professionals to perform routine roof repairs. But when it comes to things like replacing the shingles or inspecting the roof structure itself, hiring a pro to handle these tasks is necessary. It pays off since you can rest assured with a quality roof and reliable expertise.
