The next time you walk outside, take a moment to gaze up at your roof. What do you see? Do you see even shingles that are all laying flat? Or do you see shingles that are starting to curl and that are covered in moss? You can tell a lot about the condition of your roof just by looking at it. If you are at all concerned about the state of your roof, then your first call should be to a roofing contractor. They can evaluate the situation and recommend repairs or replacement as needed. Learn more about roofing and roofing contractors here on this website.
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Up on the Rooftop
4 Roof Maintenance Tasks That Keep Your Roof In Good Shape
Lori Silva
Your roof lasts longer when you maintain it properly. When your roof is neglected, leaks can go unnoticed, and damage gradually escalates until you need to have a new roof put on. Here's a look at four roof maintenance tasks you can do or hire a contractor to do so your roof has a long life and protects your home from the weather.
1. Keep The Gutters Cleaned Out
If you have trees near your house, you may need to clean your gutters out regularly throughout the year. At the very least, you'll probably want to have the gutter troughs and downspout cleaned once a year. Functional gutters are important for the protection of your roof. If water can't drain away from your roof, it might flow up under the shingles and cause your roof to rot.
2. Inspect Your Roof Regularly
It's good to check your roof after each bad storm and at least once each year so you can find damaged areas and have repairs done. You don't have to climb on your roof to check for damage. Just look inside your attic for wet areas that indicate the roof is leaking, and look at your roof from the ground for crooked, missing, or damaged shingles. You may want a roofer to check your roof every few years and after a hailstorm so they can find damage you may overlook.
3. Maintain Attic Ventilation
Inadequate ventilation in your attic can damage your roof due to the buildup of heat inside the attic. Make sure insulation doesn't block soffit vents, and if you notice shingles curling, have the ventilation checked by a roofer so you can have a vent installed if necessary to improve airflow.
4. Keep The Roof Clean
Clean debris from the roof rather than let it sit and decay. Decaying leaves hold moisture against the shingles that can cause damage to your roof. Plus, rotting leaves and twigs attract pests that might then invade your roof. If tree branches hang over the roof, trim them away so fewer twigs and leaves fall on the shingles. Plus, trimming back branches helps keep squirrels and other animal pests off the roof.
When you see dark or green patches on your roof, have the patches checked to see if they're algae, moss, or something else. You'll probably want the roof cleaned to get rid of the ugly stains, and getting rid of moss protects the roof from damage caused by the roots trying to dig under the shingles. You can have your roof cleaned, even if you have asphalt shingles. You'll not only be protecting your roof, you'll keep your roof looking nicer when it's free of tree litter and dark stains.
For more information about roofing maintenance, reach out to a company like Bay Area Roofing in your area.
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