Seven Helpful Roofing Tips for new Homeowners

Now that you are a homeowner, you should practice proper roof maintenance for your roof to last as long as possible. The good news is, the earlier you start your home improvement the better and there's no better time to start than now. You might have bought the house new. In that case, you are in luck; barely any repair work will be required from you but you still need to maintain your roof every so often to prevent any issue from causing real harm. For homeowners with slightly older homes, I hope you did a thorough inspection of the roof before buying it. If you didn't, these helpful roofing tips might be of some use to you too.

1. Inspect the roof

The first thing you need to do is a visual assessment of the roof to check for any missing, damaged, or broken shingles. You will need to get up on the roof to do this so assure you are safe. Secure the ladder you are going to use. Check gutters for signs of buckling and around chimneys for wear. Do this twice a year, ideally during the fall and right after winter.

2. Remove moss and algae

The growth of moss and lichen on your roof is fairly normal. It can easily be removed by the right product. You can call a professional to do this, or do this yourself. Do it at least once a year. Their roots can cause serious damage to your roof, causing it to weaken. They also hold moisture which can cause further damage.

3. Clean your gutters

Your gutters are where a lot of dirt and debris accumulate. First, you must remove leaves, sticks, and other debris from it. Use your hands and not a garden hose as directing them down a spout may cause blockage to happen. Once those are removed, then you can use a hose on full blast to clear smaller rubble. Do this at least twice a year to prevent pile-up of leaves.

4. Trim branches near your home

One way that your roof is damaged is caused by trees near your house. Either broken branches fall on your roof or a low hanging one reaches unto your roof, scratching and gouging at it while it moves to the wind. Trim nearby trees around your house at least 15 feet away. Do this regularly or right before a reported storm is about to hit.

5. Check your insulation

Another part of roof maintenance is checking to see that your attic has good insulation. Proper quality will keep heat from escaping through the roof and will save you money on power. It will also prevent ice dams from forming on your roof.

6. Re-caulk

The roof normally has flashing around the chimney to prevent water from seeping inside. These flashings are waterproof and leak-free by checking on the caulk and re-applying when needed.

7. Sun protection

Just like our skin, the roof gets damaged by the suns UV radiation. One way to protect the shingles is through a layer of asphalt that absorbs most of the harmful ray. When checking the roof, verify that this layer is intact with no weak spots.

AuthorBio:

Lily Brooks is a passionate blogger who adores expounding on home improvement, remodeling, restoration, and repair. She is currently working with SRQ Building Services, one of the leading companies that offer exceptional service in roofing Tampa FL, including residential roof installation and repair, commercial and emergency roof repair.