Even though a modern roof should last for decades, this component of your home still requires some maintenance. Carrying out a few simple tasks before the weather cools off will greatly reduce your risk of catastrophic damage when the winter storms begin to blow through.
Remove Debris
Removing debris from your roof is one of the most important maintenance tasks that you can carry out as a homeowner. When debris sits on a roof for long periods of time, it can result in ice dams, pest infestations, standing water, and mold. After you have cleared away all of the debris, you might want to cut down any branches that are within a few feet of the roof. During a heavy storm, the branches could crash down on your roof and cause serious damage.
Replace Damaged Tiles and Shingles
Depending on where you live and how old your roof is, you might have to replace damaged and missing shingles as often as once every few months. While that type of project isn’t too complicated, you will probably want to work with a company that offers roofing services. If the tiles or shingles are installed incorrectly, then it could result in a massive amount of damage to your home.
Inspect the Flashing
The metal flashing on your roof plays a very important role, and it needs to be inspected at least a few times a year. As the seasons change, the flashing could easily become warped, and that will allow water to seep into your home and cause damage. Replacing the flashing is another job that you will probably want to leave to the professionals because moving around on your roof can be exceptionally dangerous.
Clean Rain Gutters and Downspouts
Many homeowners don’t realize just how important it is to keep their gutters and downspouts clean. If those channels become clogged, then debris and water will get trapped on your roof and cause quite a bit of damage. Luckily, cleaning out your rain gutters and downspouts is a simple job that won’t require anything more than a pair of gloves and a garden hose.
While a little bit of maintenance is going to increase the lifespan of your roof, it will still need to be replaced at some point. At least once every five or six years, you should have a roofing contractor look over your roof to ensure that it is still damage-free and doesn’t need to be replaced.