Maintaining Your Roof

Your roof protects you from insects, animals, weather, and dangerous falling debris; yet, many homeowners rarely check on the state of their roofs unless a storm is coming. Most times you think about checking it when it is too late, and you end up investing time and money on repairs. Introducing proper care into your routine and hiring a roofing company to help could benefit you in the long run. With proper roof maintenance, roofs can last more than 20 years. A roof is definitely an investment you want to last as long as possible. Here are some tips to help maintain and prolong the life of your roof.

Look Up

This step might seem obvious to any homeowner, but you’d be surprised at how many people overlook this. Doing a visual inspection of your roof every once in a while, to check for any problem areas is Step 1 to proper roof maintenance. Roof damage is a very common problem in Southwest Florida because of the climate and weather. If you see any signs that you might need roof repairs, you should alert your roofing company.

Here are a few things to look for when doing a visual check of your roof:

• Missing Shingles
• Blow Offs
• Punctures/Tears
• Buckling
• Streaking
• Sagging Gutters
• Damaged Drip Edge
• Mold Spots
• Sun Exposure
• Moss/Lichen/Algae

Clean the Gutters

Roof maintenance includes the proper care of gutters. If your gutters aren’t draining properly, water can sit too long on your roof and cause damage to shingles or the structure itself. Gutters can become clogged with leaves, branches, and dirt. Once clogged, the gutters can get heavy and cause water to back up into the attic or behind the fascia boards. Water could begin to rot certain areas and end up causing months of roof repairs. Southwest Florida gets a substantial amount of rainfall each year, the generally wet climate ensures that proper drainage is a highly important issue. Gutters should be cleaned out at least twice a year to prevent the drainage system from getting clogged. Cleaning gutters not only helps your roof, but it also helps protect your foundation against erosion.

Check Branches

Branches can cause roof damage during a storm or a windy day. Checking the trees around your home regularly and making sure they are trimmed can save you from paying for expensive roof repairs. Ideally, branches should be 8 feet to 10 feet away from your roof. The longer you wait to trim away branches and debris, the riskier it will be for possible damage. Clearing branches around your home can prevent expensive roof repairs and unnecessary headaches. As always, use safety measures while doing yard work.

Taking these precautions and doing regular maintenance can extend the life of your roof and save you from the stress of roof replacement or costly roof repairs. Contact us today at (239) 214-3445 to discuss a maintenance plan from the experienced team at Epic Roofing and Exteriors.