Roofs provide shelter and protect your home from harm. And just like other human designs, roofs need to be maintained according to allseasonsroofer.com. They are very expensive investments so when you install them you will need to maintain them to extend their lifespan for as long as possible.

Inspecting your roof for damages is one task you can do yourself. And if you don’t have a ladder to climb up and see what is going on there, binoculars can come in pretty handy.

But before you venture into this DIY task, below are 7 maintenance tips you can carry out to keep an eye on your roof.

7 roof maintenance tips for your home

Check Attic and Ceiling for Leakage

Vertec Roof Repairs experts state that water stains in your house are a sign that your roof has a leak and needs fixing. As any leakage in your roof will show in your attic or ceiling. Not only this, spots on the exterior walls, patches on the interior walls, and musty odors in the rooms are also signs that there is a leakage in your roof. So, when you see this, call a professional to check out the roof and repair the leaking part before the damage becomes too much.

Clean the Gutters

A roof maintenance list will be incomplete without this point. The gutters on the roof are built for easy flow of rainfall and water. So, when your gutter has clogged, the flow of water is interrupted and it may end up under your roof’s structure. A wet basement can be a sign that your gutter is clogged. So, it is ideal that you clean the gutters at least twice every year; during late spring and early fall.

Trim overhanging Branches

Those trees surrounding your house are beautiful but they can also cause you trouble if they are directly above your roof. Large branches may break and fall on your roof during harsh weather thereby causing damages.

Or its leaves may dry and fall into your gutters during springtime, leaving your roof gutter clogged. These leaves may also pile up on your shingles, absorb moisture and lead to rot. And these scenes run infinitely. So, It’s best if you trim the trees near your roof so that they don’t hang directly above your roof.

Remove Moss and Leaves

Mosses mostly grow on wood and composition shingles. They may look harmless but don’t be deceived, because they can damage your roof if not properly checked. They do this by trapping moisture, which is not good for your roof.

Therefore, you should carry out a moss removal procedure as often as you can to prevent roof damages.

Also, remove the piles of leaves collected during spring in the roof valleys, gutters, or chimneys. As they can also lead to rot.

Check the Shingles

Replacing damaged shingles is one of the most important repairs to be done on a roof. This is because damaged shingles can lead to roof leakage. When inspecting your roof shingles, you should look out for missing, cracked, or curled shingles. And get a professional to repair the damages or replace the shingle ASAP.

Prevent Ice Dams

Ice build-ups in the roof are dangerous. You need to cut the nick from the bud so don’t let them form. This is because, once that ice forms on your roof and dries, it would be hard to take out.

So, if your house is situated where snowing occurs every day, you should winterize it. You can do this by raking your roof as soon as it’s daybreak. And apply heat strips where the snow is heavy and continuous, to melt the snow. Whatever you do, don’t allow the snow to form an ice dam or accumulate on your roof

Inspect your roof after Storms

Heavy storms can pull out shingles on your roof. Therefore, after bad weather, check your gutters and wind still to see if they are blocked or bent, respectively. Also, note the repairs to be made or materials that need to be changed. Since a lot of home insurance policies cover such repairs, you can get your insurance company to fix it at no extra cost for you.

Finally, to prevent any roof surprises, inspecting your roof should be part of your yearly routine. Most especially after a big storm. Although you can do basic inspections through the months, you should invite a professional roofing contractor to inspect your roof at least once a year. This is because there may be damages on your roof that an untrained eye may not see. A professional will give you tips on how best to maintain your roof. Moreover, if you ignore your roof for a long time, you may be moving from repairs to replacement faster than normal.