Your roof is constantly under attack from nature. Sometimes, you may feel that rain, wind, sunlight, hail and other elements are teaming up to harm your roof. A new roof represents a significant investment, so you naturally want to make it last as long as possible. Although it is impossible to prevent all damage throughout your roof’s life, proper maintenance can help prevent many types of damage and help keep minor issues from turning into major problems.
Roof Inspections
Your roof should be inspected at least once every year and after every major storm that delivers high-velocity winds or significant hail. Although you can use binoculars to check the condition of your roof from ground level, it is better to ask a roofing professional to conduct a rooftop inspection. He can check for damaged flashing, vents and skylights as well as look for damaged, curling or missing shingles.
Gutters
Although many people think that gutter problems are only an issue for siding, foundations or basements, a clogged gutter can also cause roof damage. Gutters are there to carry water away from the roof, and if they become clogged, the water has nowhere to go. As a result, it can back up under the edges of the shingles and cause the roof deck (and possibly even the rafters) to rot. Most homes need to have their gutters cleaned twice a year, but if there are many mature trees surrounding the home, the gutters may need more frequent cleaning.
Trees
If tree branches are touching the roof, they can scrape away the granules on asphalt shingles, especially when the winds are brisk. Even if the branches are not scraping the roof, they may be giving squirrels and other pests easy access to your roof. Many of these pests (including squirrels) can gnaw on the edges of your siding or roofing. It is best to keep at least a 10-foot gap between your roof and tree limbs. If you find that impossible, you can also place a band of sheet metal around the trunk of the tree to keep animals from climbing it.
Debris and Moss
Debris includes leaves as well as other items that might have landed on your roof, such as a neighborhood child’s model airplane or ball. Piles of leaves or other debris trap moisture, which can accelerate the aging of your shingles and allow leaks to penetrate beneath the roofing system. Moss is a living organism with roots that will penetrate the shingles and damage them.
In Conclusion
The effort you put into maintaining your roof can pay a handsome return. Although it is true that you will have to replace your roof eventually, proper maintenance can help you prolong its life and achieve the best return on your investment.
If you need roof inspections, repairs or a replacement roof, Alpha Roofing has more than 30 years of industry experience. We offer a full range of services, including chimney cleaning, and siding to customers in the Central Texas region, including the Austin metropolitan area. Our dedicated crews have the experience and skills to give you quality results at competitive rates. You can send us your information by submitting our online form to request a free quote, or you can call us at 512-777-1086.