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Considering that your roof is the first defense against all kinds of weather, you need to take special care of it with regular inspections.
Building compliance rules expect you to get the roof checked for signs of damage and get the required maintenance and repairs.
You’ll avoid extensive issues that typically result from the buildup of moss, dead leaves, ice, and rust. Read ahead for some of the most important steps to take to keep your roof maintained.
1. Inspect and Replace Your Roof Shingles
Missing and broken roof shingles allow in damage from rain, snow, and the sun’s UV rays. You’ll want to get them examined for erosion and cracks and replace them as and when needed.
Bring in roofing professionals to clean moss, lichen, dirt, and fungus. You would also want to get the sealant checked for proper functionality.
If needed, get the sealant removed entirely and replaced with new material.
2. Removing Moss and Black Algae
Depending on the region where you live, you might notice black algae or moss growing on wooden or composition roofing.
Black algae may look unsightly, but is unlikely to cause long-term damage, so you can choose to leave it.
If you wish to get rid of the algae, spraying with a little chlorine bleach or detergent mixed in water can take care of the problem.
However, if you have moss, getting rid of it quickly is critical. Although sweeping it away is typically effective, an excessive buildup may need you to call in specialists in roof maintenance.
Moss tends to absorb and hold moisture that can seep into the tiles below and cause mold and puddling.
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3. Trim Back Overhanging Tree Branches
If you have tall trees growing close to the house, make sure to get the branches trimmed away from the roof. Rain, snow, and wind can whip the branches around and damage your roof.
Falling leaves standing on the roof may attract and hold moisture and ultimately lead to rotting shingles and tiles.
Branches also make it possible for squirrels and other rodents to reach the roof. They’ll look for weak spots and gnaw their way into the roof if not checked.
4. Clean the Gutter to Prevent Clogging
The point of having gutters is to allow the free flow of rain and melting snow away from the roof so it drains away.
Water accumulating on the roof is sure to cause seepage, rot, and other damage to the support beams also. Check the gutter regularly to ensure that there are no leaves, debris, dead bugs, dirt, and wind-blown trash clogging it.
5. Prevent Ice Dams from Forming
Heavy snowfall can result in the formation of ice dams. When the snow comes into contact with the warm roof above the attic, it tends to melt and runoff.
But, the water reaching the colder parts of the roof will freeze again, resulting in dams that trap more water and snow.
The one way to prevent that from happening is to get your insulation checked. Ensure that the roof will remain at temperatures more or less similar to the surroundings to prevent runoffs.
Maintaining your roof so that it lasts is a job best left to the experts. Ask around for roofing experts in your town and have them come by for a quick look around.
