Possessing a home comes with many benefits and equally plenty of responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is caring for your roof. That’s because if left unmaintained, a damaged roof could lead to the destruction of your home. In turn, that leads to another problem, unnecessary, expensive repair bills.
What other things should you know about your roof as a homeowner? What should you do to take care of it? Well, you’re about to find out that, and more.
Some knowledge of roofing
Elements that wear your roof are extreme temperatures, sunshine, how long moisture stays stagnant on the roof, pests, and so on.
Inspect your roof, valleys, and gutters often, especially during spring and fall. Winters in the city of Longmont, CO, have freezing temperatures and feet of snow. Ice damming is a big problem that occurs in such cold climates. The water will stall and back up into the shingles and seep into your house. So, you have to get that standing snow off the roof.
Gutters collect plenty of leaves, branches, and other debris. Debris in the gutters has to be brushed off regularly. Otherwise, it may decay, cause algae, or clog. Also, the water has nowhere to flow and stays blocked in the gutter. Worse still, the water can back up from the gutter and seep underneath the shingles, causing them to rot and come off.
Good thing it doesn’t have to get to that. There are simple tools you can purchase to easily clean out the gutter yourself.
You know that you need roof repair if the shingles are curling, lifting, or falling off.
If your gutters have lots of granules from roofing shingles, your roof is aging. Knowing the lifespan of your roof is also critical.
Algae, fungus, and lichen are destructive biological growths that appear as unsightly green stuff.
Rusting will occur naturally in metal roofs and furnace pipes. So to remove it, use a wire brush, prime, then paint over.
Trim nearby tree branches if they’re getting too long. They might scratch the roof or act as a bridge for pests.
You know your roof is leaking if you either find dark spots, stains, or mold on windows, walls, or ceilings. Once you see that, know that there is serious damage that needs to be addressed immediately.
Check the seals on all pipe flashings. Within a few years, the black rubber at the base (flashing) starts to disintegrate. The small cracks created allow water to seep into your attic.
Also, if you notice exposed nail heads, know they must be sealed off with silicone soon. Visible nail heads are fine, but exposed nail heads are dangerous. Water can follow through the nail, through the shingle and the wood, and finally to your attic. You can find exposed nail heads at the bottom of box vents, furnace pipes, pipe jacks, and skylights.
Lastly, schedule yearly inspections and maintenance from professional roofing companies or representatives.
So, regardless of whether you’re a first-time homeowner or a long-time one, you have to know all about your roof and how to maintain it. That way, it can function as well as it was intended.
