Your roof is one of the more expensive parts of your home, and it’s something you expect to last for a long time. Replacing or repairing a roof can be a costly investment. However, with proper maintenance, your roof should hold up the duration of your time in the house. Unless you have a severe accident or a damaging storm, you probably won’t need to repair it either. Here are five maintenance tips for your Texas roof.
Inspect Your Roof
One of the best ways to prevent problems is to watch out for them. This will require checking out your roof regularly for any issues. First, it’s a good idea for you to take a look at your roof after a storm. Check for any wind damage, loose shingles, or loose debris on the roof such as sticks, tree branches, and so on. If you’re able to get on the roof and look at the shingles up close, then do so. If not, you can do a visual scan from a ladder or the ground.
If you suspect that there is damage from a storm, call a professional to check it out thoroughly.
Secondly, schedule a professional to inspect your roof twice a year. A roofing contractor will be able to check for hidden problems that you may not be able to detect.
Clean All Debris From Your Gutters and Roof
When you do your inspection of the roof, if you see any sticks or debris lying on top of the roof, remove it. Make sure to take safety precautions when getting on a roof. If you are not capable of climbing up on the roof, it’s best to have a contractor remove the items for you. If you leave debris on your roof, it can hold moisture, mold, and even insects. All of these have the capability of harming the roof.
Also, make sure to have your gutters cleaned out at least once a year. If debris collects in your gutters, it will wreak havoc on your roof because the water has no place to drain.
Trim Those Trees
Trees are beautiful for landscaping purposes, but when they are too close to the roof problems can arise. For one thing, if the tree limbs are hanging over the roof, a strong windstorm could send them hurling unto the roof. Some tree branches are quite heavy and can do damage to your roof.
Trees branches also can clog your gutters with leaves, needles, bits of sticks, and other tree debris. Gutters play an instrumental part in allowing rainwater to drain away from the house. When the gutters are clogged, the water has no way to drain out and can permeate the roof.
As much as we love our trees, they provide a home for some animals and insects that we may not want that close to our roof. If the tree is too close to the roof, it creates an opportunity for the animal or insects to come over to the roof and make a home.
Replace Missing or Damaged Roofing Material
If you notice that a roof shingle or tile is missing or damaged, replace it promptly. If you delay replacing the roofing material, it allows water and debris to get into the area. This can cause other adjoining shingles or tiles to loosen. If you don’t want the damage to spread, you’ll need to fix it right away.
Be Gentle Removing Mildew and Algae
It seems in humid, damp environments such as Texas mold and mildew tend to be a problem on the exterior of our homes. Mildew can grow when there is a substantial shade on a house that doesn’t allow moisture to dry out adequately. Using a power wash on the exterior of your home will cleanse away the mildew build up. However, this is not a solution for roofs. A power wash has too much force for shingles and tiles. The water can shoot up under the roofing and cause a more significant problem. It may even damage the roofing.
If you do notice that your roof has some mildew or algae growing on it, you can use a cleaning solution designed specifically for mildew growth. You’ll need to gently scrub the mildew off, and use a regular hose to rinse away the residue.
Implementing these maintenance tips for your roof will ensure that repairs are kept to a minimum and replacement is unlikely. You will help maintain the value of your home and keep expenses low through regular inspections from your roofing contractor.
At Fitz Roofing, our crew is standing by ready to assist you with whatever roofing needs you have. Get in touch today! Download our free guide to finding the best roofing contractor.
