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Roof upkeep clearly isnt the most glamorous task, but if youre a homeowner, its incredibly vital to prevent long-term structural damage to your house brought on by moisture permeation and material erosion. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends that homeowners inspect and clean their roofs at least twice a yearonce during the fall and spring.
Roof cleaning is an easy chore to neglect because of how involved it is, but doing so can severely hinder your homes normal functions, like water drainage. During the winter, leaves, twigs, and seeds accumulate in your gutters. If you dont regularly clear them, runoff water from snowmelt can overflowor worse, pool atop your roof and slowly erode your roofs protective materials. It isnt just seasonal, though; in fact, clogged gutters become even more dangerous during the summer since accrued dried foliage becomes a fire hazard when the weather gets hotter.
To help simplify your spring cleaning routine for your roof, weve teamed up with an expert roofing company to outline the most important tasks. Here are four tips to keep in mind while maintaining your roof:
1. Check for Signs of Moisture Permeation
There are several ways to check for unwanted moisture depositsinside and outside of your home. If youre inspecting your roofs exterior, look for fungus, algae, or rust, especially in spots where your roof is penetrated by fixtures like your chimney, skylights, or vents. Within your home, check for damp spots on your roof. If you see them, its almost certain moisture is seeping into your system.
2. Assess the Wear and Tear
A certain amount of depreciation is expected for any roof, regardless of its construction, since theyre constantly subjected to weathering effects, collision impacts, and abrasive contact from neighboring tree branches. Despite this reality, its crucial to understand how much wear and tear is reasonable based on how long youve had your roof and the quality of its construction materials. If you see loosening, cracked, porous, or discolored shingles, its likely the protective layers and granules of your roof are being eroded at too rapid of a rate, which may require immediate repair or replacement.
3. Dont Flush Your Gutters Before You Clear Them
Its tempting to try and streamline your gutter clearing by just rinsing out all those leaves and twigs with a garden hose, but doing so could end up compounding your drainage problems. Forcing all that foliage into a single downspout, unless its incredibly wide, can reduce your gutters draining capability and lead to more water permeating your homes foundation, which over time, can severely diminish its structural integrity.
4. Trim the Tree Branches Crowding Your Roof
This is a frustrating to do since its not exactly roof maintenance, but doing so can greatly impact your roofs longevity. Tree branches that are incredibly close to, or loom over, your roof can scratch its shingles and tear away protective granules. Over time, this constant abrasive contact can strip away your roof and greatly reduce its ability to safeguard you and your family from the elements.
Spring cleaning is often something we dread, especially when one of the checklist items requires climbing a ladder and inspecting your roof, but homeowners should welcome the opportunity to reinforce their roofings longevity and performance with a few, simple tasks. In the long run, your watchful eye may prevent you from having to replace or fully repair your system, which can be costly and even more of a time investment than your spring cleaning regiment.
