Roof Maintenance 101: What You Should Consider

Keeping your roof in good shape is one of the most important home maintenance tasks. A well-maintained roof protects your home from water damage, extends the life of your roof, and saves you money in the long run. But, where do you start? There are five things you should regularly consider when it comes to maintaining your roof.

Clean and Repair Your Gutters

The purpose of your gutters is to redirect water away from your home. When your gutters are damaged or clogged, they can’t do their job. Then, your home’s foundation, walls, and roof become more susceptible to water damage. You should clean your gutters at least twice annually. If you notice damages, you should repair them as quickly as possible.

Read our blog on gutter maintenance to learn more about what the process should look like.

Trim Trees that are Close to Your Roof

If your home is surrounded by trees, it’s important to keep them trimmed. First, trimming your trees will help keep debris out of your gutters. Second, you will prevent potential damage from falling limbs due to weather conditions. Assess the need to trim your trees at least once a year. 

Keep an Eye Out for Heavy Snow

In Vermont, we’re no stranger to the winter season. Although we’re snow lovers, heavy snow can cause issues for an old roof. On days when the snow seems to never stop falling, remove snow from your roof using a snow rake. This will relieve the weight of the snow on your roof, preventing potential damage.

Check On Your Shingles

Shingle loss and damage are common wear and tear for your roof. That said, it’s important to keep up with them as needed. Shingles act as a shelter from the weather conditions around your house, protecting the materials beneath, such as plywood. One missing shingle is unlikely to cause significant damage, but over time, surrounding ones can deteriorate from water, sunlight, and wind exposure. If you aren’t sure whether a shingle is damaged, examine it for curling, flaking, and cracking. 

Most asphalt shingles last between 15 and 30 years. Even so, it’s important to check on your shingles at least once per year to prevent potential threats to your home.

Metal roofs, on the other hand, last 40 to 70 years. For safety, you should replace the screws in a metal roof every decade or so. Plus, you will likely need to reseal your metal roof to ensure it is in the best condition it can be.

Treat Moss and Mold

If you notice moss or mold on your roof, it likely means that there’s moisture collecting in that area. This could signify a leak, breaking down of materials, rotting, or other damages. To remove mold or moss, we recommend the Spray & Forget Revolutionary Roof Cleaner Concentrate. 

Its formula removes stains caused by algae, mold, and mildew in just a few minutes. Mix 1 part roof cleaner with 9 parts water, rinse any surrounding plants with water, and spray the mixture from the pump sprayer on the roof. In one minute, the foam will work on the stains, turning orange when cleaning. Rinse the roof with water until the orange color is gone! You may have to apply a second time for certain roofs, so repeat as necessary. Once finished, rinse surrounding plants, gutters, and deck to remove all of the product.

You should check for mold and moss on your roof at least once per year. If the damage to your roof from mold is significant, call a professional roofing company for help. 

Maintaining your roof is important to the integrity of your home, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By regularly keeping up with your roof, it will stay in good condition for years to come. Keep your home protected from the elements, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your roof is in good shape.

Want to learn more about keeping up with your home? Dive into our home maintenance blogs.