Neglecting to follow routine roof maintenance tips can end up costing between $5,000 and $12,000. The final roof cost will depend on the roofing materials used and the size of the new roof. Without a doubt, a roof is a major home improvement expense for any homeowner.
That’s why it’s important to make sure your roof lasts more than 20 years. To help your roof survive its full lifespan, it needs proper maintenance, consistent inspections, and cleaning.
Use these roof maintenance tips to keep your roof in good condition for many years to come. Remember, climbing on your roof is potentially dangerous and should only be done with proper safety equipment. If you are unsure it is best to call the professionals at Gold Star Contracting.
Remove Rotted Sections
To remove rotten sections, pull the shingle roofing and the underlying felt off the entire board. Use a nail and power screwdriver to remove roofing nails and to hold the decking board in place. Additionally, to measure the size of the new board correctly, use a straightedge to mark the cuts.
The new board should have the same material as the old one. After securing the new board in place, cover the decking board with felt and secure it with felt tacks. Lastly, you must cover the felt with new shingles and secure the shingles with galvanized roofing nails.
Ice Dams
An ice dam is a wall of ice that forms at the edge of the roof or the gutters that act as a dam for the water created by the melted snow. The dam prevents the water from draining into the gutter which eventually leads the water to find its way into the house.
A properly maintained gutter and roof protect your structure from ice dams. Consider the precautions given below.
Clean Your Gutter Before Winter
The fallen snow mixes up with the fallen leaves from autumn and freezes the roof and creates an ice dam. That’s why it’s a good idea to clean the roof before winter. Consequently, clean gutters keep water flowing away from the roof.
Heating of the Attic Space
You also need to make sure the attic is well ventilated so that the high temperature there doesn’t melt the snow on the roof. Furthermore, create an air barrier between the house and the attic with a foil-faced cover to prevent ice dams.
The following may pose heating sources for your attic:
- Uninsulated ceiling can lights
- Folding stair opening
- Heating duct
- Wating heating equipment
- Furnace
- Inadequate bathroom vent fans
Additionally, these sources can melt the snow on the roof and cause ice dams to form.
Before the weather starts to get cold, make sure to check for proper insulation of any potential heat source into your attic.
If an ice dam has formed, here are steps you can take to help prevent further damage:
- Apply ice melting products like calcium chloride onto the ice to melt the ice dams.
- To freeze the water from the melted snow, place a fan box in the attic and direct it under the roof where the water is leaking in.
- For a flat roof or roof with a low slope, use a rake to sweep off the snow.
- Hire professionals if you think the situation is out of your hands. They have special instruments like high-pressure steam to remove the ice dams.
Remove Debris
Sometimes leaves, small branches, and even sticks can cause expensive damage to your roof or house. Over time, they allow water to be trapped and encourage the growth of algae, mildew, and moss which causes wood rot. That’s why it’s important to remove debris off your roof regularly and also trim the trees occasionally. You can also get your roof cleaned professionally for better results.
Removing debris is more important during autumn than any other season. In addition, make sure to clean the gutters, check for loose brackets and gaps in the seam too. If the fallen leaves dammed with water clog the gutter, the water will overflow and cause more damage to your roof. You need to make sure the moisture build up in the attic can escape efficiently.
Maintain Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters or downspouts can cause major roofing problems for every homeowner. Sometimes clogged gutter systems from twigs, leaves, and debris can cause expensive roof leaks in your attic and interior living spaces. With clogged gutters and downspouts, the water and the snowmelt can’t be directed away from your house. The best practice is to inspect the gutters for any sign of damage whenever you are cleaning out the debris.
What to Do to Prevent Gutter Clogging
Evaluate the gutter angle and make any sloping adjustments as necessary. Rain gutters are sloped toward the downspouts. This allows the water to drain efficiently.
Inspect if water pools in your gutters. The weight of the water can loosen the fasteners and this will allow the gutter to pull away from your structure over time. The water pooled in the gutter will rot or corrode the gutters over time.
Have Your Roof Professionally Inspected
A routine roof inspection is one of the best roof maintenance tips you can follow. Although there may be an upfront cost, it will help save money in the long run. An inspection by a professional roofing contractor will help you find any damages on the roof surfaces, attic and the interior of your house. Consequently, not following key roof maintenance tips such as ignoring small leaks and minor damages can often lead to expensive mistakes.
The metal strips on a roof between the main body of the roof system and the chimneys, skylights and home’s siding known as flashing are prone to cause a leaky roof. Make sure to always check for holes, corrosion, deterioration, or cracks.
If you live in an area with challenging weather, then loose or damaged asphalt shingles are a common problem. High winds, hailstorms, tree branches or debris can damage shingles over time. Therefore, always check after major storms for broken, cracked, or broken shingles.
When you get your inspection from a professional roofer, don’t forget to check for tears, cracks or blisters around the roof edges and vent boot.
Worn or old sealants must be replaced to prevent water stain, seepage and eventually roof damage. Make sure to check for damaged chimney bricks, torn caps, joints or damaged flashing.
Inspecting the condition of exhaust pipes, valleys or the angles of the roof regularly is a good roof maintenance tip that will save you money on roofing repair or replace costs.
Get a Free Estimate
To get a free estimate and consultation service, contact roofing company Gold Star Contracting or call us during business hours at 612-254-0854. Get your free estimate today!