Roof Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

Even though it’s above our heads every time we’re at home, our roof can be something we often take for granted – until there’s a problem. Small holes and cracks can succumb to water damage and become huge leaks that need extensive repair or even a full roof replacement. Taking a few proactive steps now to maintain your home’s roof can go a long way towards avoiding those costs.



Inspect Regularly

The best rule of thumb is to visually inspect your roof at the beginning of each season (winter, spring, summer, fall) and after any extreme weather. During these basic visual checks, look for missing shingles, holes, cracks, or bucking on the exterior. Head inside to crawl spaces and attics to look for pooling water, rays of light streaming through the roof, and nesting animals that may have had an open door to your house through damage in your roof.



Check Ventilation

While you’re up in the attic or crawl space, check to see that there’s proper ventilation. Without appropriate airflow, ice and snow will build up on your roof and become heavier as the winter weather continues. You’ll be lucky if you catch this problem before your roof fully collapses! If you have a question about the ventilation below your roof, call in the help of an architect or construction professional to have an expert look at the situation.



Replace Loose Shingles

Loose or missing shingles can cause havoc on your roof. Even if water doesn’t get inside your home, it can build up and freeze under those loose shingles and impact the structural integrity of not only your roof, but also your entire house. If you don’t have the tools or skills to repair shingles on your own, call in a roofing professional to help with this maintenance task.



Keep Gutters Clean

It’s probably the job that every homeowner loathes the most, but keeping your gutters clean and clog-free is a must. Clogs in gutters and spots lead to water backup, and when winter weather or extreme rainfall hits, that water and snow ends up piled on your roof. Over time, that water can cause unnecessary wear and tear that will ultimately lead to a costly roofing project performed by the professionals.


Plan Renovations Accordingly

Looking to make more room in your home? Renovations are hugely popular right now, but don’t break any ground without consulting a roofing professional about how your new addition will impact your roof. Don’t try any remodeling on your own if it means changing the roofline or any kind of major structural change to your home.



Watch Out for Wind

Strong winds can oftentimes create stress points on a roof that over time can weaken and become compromised. These stress points mostly occur at the corners and perimeter of the roof, where it is susceptible to higher wind pressures. Roofs are designed to resist normal wind loads, but over time they can obtain incremental damages by high winds and debris carried by storms. Sometimes roof damage isn’t obvious by just standing on the ground and observing a few shingles in your front yard.

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