People often overlook the condition of their roof. Perhaps it’s out of sight, out of min. Your roof must stand up to the harshest conditions and requires yearly maintenance, inspection and repair. Not doing so can increase the frequency of partial or complete reroofing, which can be much more expensive than keeping the current roof in good shape longer. You may also prevent the expense of other structural damage created by a faulty roof.
What You Can Do
There are jobs a homeowner can do to help extend the life of a roof. The point is to prevent problems before they happen. These yearly maintenance tasks will go a long way to reducing wear and the need for future repairs:
- Debris removal – Remove leaf, branch and dirt debris from the entire roof surface, focusing on areas where debris gets stuck, such as skylights, pipes and low spots. Debris collects water and can rot out roof shingles, shortening their useful life.
- Flashings – Check and seal flashings with polyurethane at roof edges, around chimneys and vents, etc. Over 95 percent of leaking occurs near or around the flashing.
- Shingles – Replace damaged or missing shingles.
- Gutters – Clear gutters of debris, tighten where loose, and re-seal leaking areas. Check downspouts for clogs.
- Chimney – Check and repair/replace bricks and mortar.
- Branches – Cut back trees or vines that may damage the roof.
Signs Your Roof Might Need Repair
You’ll always want to check your roof after a storm, especially if it is accompanied by high winds. There are specific signs, however, that may indicate the need for repair and should be addressed asap:
- Flashing issues – missing or cracked caulk, rust, cracked or worn boots
- Shingles – missing, curling, blistering, buckling, cracking or breaking
Signs Your Roof Might Need Replacing
Fast action is required if your roof needs to be replaced, to prevent further damage to the structure and interior. An older or damaged roof may have additional symptoms:
- Lichen or moss growth on roof – indicates water damage under the shingles.
- Puddling – May indicate a slope problem. Standing water or ice in these puddles can weaken a roof structure and cause eventual collapse over time. Might indicate more than just a roof replacement.
- Shingle particles – If your shingles are disintegrating at a high rate, you’ll find many tile granules in your gutters or washing down your spouts onto your property.
- Shingles – large areas of damaged or missing shingles need a closer look. They are an indication of the health of the roof itself.
Don’t wait until your roof springs a leak in the middle of a storm. Roof to Deck is the leader in the Minnesota area. We use the highest quality material, tools and workmanship to clean and repair roofs. Our services are very affordable, so you can get your roof maintained, repaired or replaced by the pros on your schedule and within your budget. Contact us to request your detailed quote.