Homeowners must carry out many maintenance tasks to avoid expensive repairs. One of the most important of these tasks is roof maintenance, as this protects your home against the elements. Throughout a roof’s life, it’s important to schedule regular inspections as well as other maintenance. Below, we’ll tell you about the five most important roof maintenance tasks.
Gutter Cleaning and Repairs
Guttering is designed to steer water away from your home. However, if it becomes blocked by leaves and other debris, water will build up, and it will begin to enter your home. Unfortunately, this can lead to extensive water damage that will be expensive to repair. To avoid water building up in your gutters, you will need to clean them regularly. Typically, you should aim to do this twice a year – before and after winter.
If any part of your guttering is damaged, it must be repaired straight away. Instead of doing a DIY job that may not stand up to adverse weather conditions, it’s a good idea to find a reputable business that provides gutter repair in the St. Louis area.
Regular Shingle Inspections
Every season brings new complications for homeowners, as different weather conditions cause different issues. For example, the summer months can bring hurricanes and sun damage, and the winter months invite storms, ice, and snow, which can all lead to leaks. To avoid weather-related damage, it’s important to inspect your roof shingles each season. If any are missing, you must have them replaced straight away.
Annual Algae, Moss, and Lichen Treatments
When lichen, moss, and algae are left to spread and grow, they can wreak havoc on your roof and will tear down the curb appeal of your home. The best environment for these to grow is under shade and in hot conditions, so check these areas first.
To avoid the build-up of either of these growths, it’s recommended to have your roof treated annually with preventative products that contain copper or zinc. As well as this, your roof must be cleaned regularly – you can have a professional take care of this for you.
Trim Overhanging Branches
If you have branches hanging over your property, it’s a good idea to have them trimmed regularly. Leaving them to grow out of control will only cause damage to your home and will lead to an even quicker build-up of leaves and debris.
Clear Debris and Leaves
If you allow debris and leaves to sit on your roof, it can encourage the growth of lichen, moss, and algae. As well as this, it may cause damage to the shingles and other parts of the roof. Therefore, while carrying out seasonal checks or cleaning the gutters, remove any debris and leaves.
If you neglect your roof, you’re welcoming extensive property damage and a high cost of repairs. By spending short bursts of time on regular maintenance, you’ll pay much less money, and the costs will be spread out. As many of these tasks can be hazardous, consider hiring a professional to have the jobs completed to a high standard.