The Ultimate Guide to Roof Maintenance and Repair
As a homeowner, you’ve got a lot on your to-do list just keeping it up. However, roof maintenance and repairs for your Buffalo home can be one of the most important parts of your list, as your roof provides protection from the elements to the rest of your home. But what’s involved in roof maintenance, and at what point should you turn the work over to a professional?
This roof maintenance and repair guide will give Buffalo homeowners a solid overview of the finer points of roofing services.
The Ultimate Guide to Roof Maintenance and Repair
Your roof is a dynamic system that moves water away from your home, protecting everything and everyone within it. Though it can seem like it’s just a part of your home, it still requires some care to ensure that it will continue functioning properly for many years to come. This includes standard maintenance and one-time events that require additional inspection, maintenance, and repair.
Regular Roof Maintenance
There are some tasks that you should schedule regularly, typically on a seasonal or semi-annual basis so that you can keep an eye on your roof’s condition and any issues that are beginning to arise on your roof’s surface and substructure. Fortunately, you can handle all of them in a few hours.
Attic Inspection
Before climbing on your roof, start by inspecting the ceilings and attic area. These areas can often provide you with early signs of water damage and roof problems. If you see daylight through the roof or signs of water seepage, track where it’s located and plan to check that area when you get onto the roof itself.
Roof Inspection
Once you’ve finished up in the attic, it’s time to take a look at the roof itself. Make sure to walk carefully both to avoid damaging the roof’s surface and to avoid slip and fall accidents. Don’t forget a safety harness! Go over your entire roof, noting any soft spots, areas where the shingles have become worn, damage that needs to be repaired, and similar issues.
Plant Maintenance
Next, you’ll want to check for problematic plants. These tend to occur in two areas. The first is where tree limbs that are within ten feet of your roof or that are overhanging and causing moss growth to take off. The second is on the roof itself, as algae, lichen, and moss grow in damp or shaded areas. Trapping moisture, these organisms can lead to damage and should be removed.
Check Around Protrusions
Once you’ve removed any plants, it’s time to check the seals around any protrusions through your roof’s surface. This typically includes vents from your drain lines, chimneys, and similar utility pass-throughs that are added depending on your usage. Take a good look at the sealant around these protrusions to make sure it’s in good condition to prevent leaks into your home.
Roof and Gutter Cleaning
Finally, you can clean off your roof and clean out your gutters. This process ensures that moisture can be moved effectively off of your roof and away from your home. Be sure to check the downspouts for debris buildup. Gutter covers can be one option to make this task easier, dramatically removing the amount of debris that must be taken out of gutters.
One-Time Roof Repairs
Of course, sometimes there are circumstances that demand that you undertake an additional roof inspection and maintenance steps. By being aware of these potential issues, you can quickly inspect your roof as soon as you can after they’ve happened, ensuring that any repairs that are needed can be scheduled as quickly as possible.
Severe Storms
The upstate region of New York is known for its severe weather, especially in the winter. If you’ve had a severe storm in your area that has added a lot of additional snow to your roof, caused damage to trees, or had high winds, it’s important to check that your roof hasn’t been damaged by these factors.
Age-Related Stress
As your roof ages, it becomes less resilient and can have more issues from less severe circumstances. If you’re noticing a lot of extra granules from your shingles in the gutters or wash-out area of your downspouts than normal, are seeing pieces of shingles on the lawn, or something just doesn’t look like it’s laying right on the roof, perform an inspection.
Physical Damage
Of course, there’s also plain bad luck. If a rotted tree branch falls onto your roof, a neighbor swings a rental backhoe the wrong direction and hits your roof, or any number of other events occur, it’s pretty normal to have some physical damage to your roof. In these instances, it benefits you to contact a roofing contractor as soon as possible to ensure that you can get the problem fixed quickly and effectively.
By taking the time to get regular roof maintenance and repairs for your Buffalo home’s roof, you can ensure that you’ll get the maximum possible lifespan out of your roof. If you need help with your roofing inspection, repairs, cleaning, or snow clean off in Buffalo, the experienced professionals at AVA Roofing are ready to help. Contact us today to get started!
