A Roof Maintenance Checklist Anyone Can Follow
When it comes to maintaining a house, most homeowners don’t think of their roofs at all. The only time they do is once there’s something wrong with the roof, usually after strong storms or when the roof has reached its lifespan.
We get it. As long as the roof seems to be working, you will be more focused on home maintenance closer to the ground, which is what we see every day. This can include your home’s foundation, sprinkler system, garden, and more. Well, it’s high time that you start focusing on your roof as well, and we’ve got the roof maintenance checklist for you.
Don’t worry, we made this checklist easy to follow, so you can make sure your roof is in good condition to protect you and your home.
A Roof Maintenance Checklist Anyone Can Follow
It’s important to do a yearly check-in on your roof. Many experts even recommend having roof inspections done by professionals twice a year. As you can expect, many homeowners do not follow this rule of thumb, and it can end up being costly in the long run.
To avoid the added hassle and costs of a damaged roof, follow this simple roof maintenance checklist:
The Visual Inspection
Before anything else, conduct a visual inspection of the roof’s exterior. Watch out for the following:
- Loose and missing shingles
- Damaged shingles that show signs of cracking, curling, peeling, and shrinking
- Bald patches, granules in gutters, or missing gutters
- Check the roof’s components like the underlayment, decking, ridge, valleys, and dormers
- Roof elements such as the skylights, vent openings, the seals around your chimneys, and the like
- Inspect the roof edges, such as the drip edges, fascia, downspouts, gutters, and more.
After checking those parts of the roof, head to your attic to check the roof’s underside, such as:
- Any pinhole leaks (you can identify if there are leaks if you can see a small hole of light coming into the attic during sunny days)
- Water damage on verticals
- Signs of water leaks and staining. Note that water can pool and collect without dripping, and this causes wood rot
- Signs of mold and mildew
- Damage to roof trusses, insulation, or rafters
If you notice any of the above or see signs of damage on the roof or in the attic, contact your local roofer for a more thorough inspection.
Maintenance Checklist
It’s important to leave serious repairs and maintenance tasks to roofers, especially when it involves having to go on the roof itself. However, there are ways you can keep your roof in excellent condition without having to go on the roof itself. Here’s a roof maintenance checklist you can follow:
Clean the Gutters
Your gutters are a crucial part of keeping the roof dry. Weather conditions like rain or snow melt will shed from the roof into your gutters. The water will then run to the ground safely.
But if you have clogged g.utters, the water would pool on the roof, causing both the roof and fascia to rot
As such, it’s crucial to clean out the gutters at least twice a year. You may also want to consider adding gutter guards if debris and leaves build up often. If you notice your gutters have a lot of loose gravel from the asphalt shingles, then this is a clear sign of severe wear. Check with your professional roofer, who can identify if your roof requires replacement.
Trim Your Trees
Trees make a wonderful backdrop to any property. However, they are also a treat to the roof.
For example, overhanging limbs may fall on the roof, or falling leaves will build up, trapping moisture underneath. This is why you must trim any overhanging branches to prevent damaged shingles, holes, and algae build-up
Reseal and Caulk
Your roof is extremely vulnerable in places where there are openings, like chimneys, pipes, skylights, and vents. Seal around the components with caulking and roofing tar to close any gaps, thus preventing moisture infiltration.
Insulate Your Attic
Insulating your attic can help make your home even more comfortable and help you save on energy bills. Besides that, it can also help extend your roof’s lifespan as it will reduce heat transfer, reflect heat away from your roof, and protect the rafters from expansion or contraction.
Before Inspecting Your Roof
With all that said and done, this begs you to wonder: Can you even conduct roof inspections or maintenance tasks yourself?
While it’s important to inspect your roof, we only recommend doing so from a safe angle. We don’t recommend getting on the roof yourself unless you are also a professional who knows what they’re doing.
You can perform a lot of what we mentioned above from the ground or the top of a ladder. Do NOT walk on your roof, as this can lead to accidents and injuries. Moreover, it can damage your shingles, so you do more harm than good.
If ever you see any problems with your roof, then schedule a free inspection with us immediately. Or, if an intense storm just occurred, it’s always best to have your roof inspected for any damage by professionals. They can see even small signs of roof damage that the naked eye can’t. By quickly resolving it before it gets worse, you avoid leaks and serious issues that affect your home’s interiors and the household’s comfort.
Wrapping It Up
Regular roof maintenance is imperative, so you and your home’s interiors continue to stay dry and protected. You wouldn’t want to end up with hefty repair or roof replacement fees that could have been prevented with simple maintenance.
We hope that this roof maintenance checklist helped you out! Make sure you save this checklist for when it’s time to conduct regular maintenance. If ever you find anything suspicious with your roof, make sure to call us for a free inspection!