subject: Tips On How To Maintain Your Roofing [print this page] The roof is one of the most important parts of any home, because it acts like a shield for the rest of your house. That said, it is also the part that has to bear the brunt of weathering effects, and will likely be struck by debris in periods of heavy wind.
Keeping your roof in good condition will allow it to better withstand the effects of weathering, which in turn will lower any repair costs you might incur. Occasional inspections should allow you to catch problems early, and while these problems may be difficult for you to fix on your own, having a maintenance team handle them will allow you to repair them before they get too serious.
Roof maintenance usually begins with the simplest aspects, some of which can be handled by the homeowner. For example, most people will be able to check their roof for debris, and some may even be able to clear it out on their own.
Keeping your roof free of leaves and tree branches will keep water from collecting in the piles (piles tend to form around HVAC units and in drains and gutters), which will prevent mold and algae from growing there. These are dangerous because they can weaken the integrity of your roof and allow water to soak through, which will rot the materials underneath over time.
You should also check your roof for signs of wear and damage once in a while, although if you are not comfortable moving around on your roof then have a professional team do it. Shingled roofing is especially tricky, as a misstep can break a shingle, damaging your roof and possibly making you lose your balance.
Inspections should look for blistering, damaged shingles, cracked or missing flashings, and sealants that may be damaged, such as caulking. Be extra careful around blisters, as puncturing them can worsen the problem.
Repairing any of these problems is difficult without the proper tools and training, and handling them improperly may only make them worse. In many cases, you will want to call a roofing repair team out to handle them.
However, you can often perform the inspection aspect on your own, allowing you to catch problems early. Finding problems before they get worse will lower the overall cost of maintenance and repair, so somewhat regular inspections and debris clearing are recommended if you want to keep your roof in good condition.
