Contrary to what people think, roof maintenance is not as expensive as it seems. Through simple, practical, but regular actions, you can extend the lifespan of your roof. A damaged roof does not only cost you money to repair but also reduces the visual appeal of your home.
It, therefore, makes sense to maintain the health of your roof through the following ways:.
Clear the ice dams as soon as possible
Harsh winters can have a tremendous impact on roof life. Ensure you remove the soft, flaky white crystals off your roof when it storms, especially when they build up on your rooftop.
Ice dams often form along the edge of roofs, blocking the snow from draining away after liquefying. But trying to break ice off your roof can cause significant damage, so how do you go about it?
Use a roof rake to detach the ice within 3-4 ft. of each gutter. You could do this from the ground if you have a long or telescopic pole. If not, get a ladder, but always work from the side to avoid the falling snow from pushing you over.
Ensure proper insulation and ventilation
Moisture and heat build-up within the building can cause roof shingles to deteriorate prematurely.
Ventilation is equally as important. Warm air rises, gets into contact with your roof’s colder plywood and then condenses, which potentially leads to mold growth. If you notice mold, mildew, or ice dams on your roof, it’s time to call an attic insulation company as the life of your roof is at stake. Proper insulation and ventilation of your attic will reduce the surface temperature and eliminate moisture that can eat away your roof.
Remove moss
As colorful and innocent as it may seem, moss traps water. And you now know what follows when this happens on your roof. So you want to clean moss off your gutters as frequently as possible.
If you tackle this problem early before moss builds up, you can easily sweep it off. But you would have to take more intensive action if the growth has progressed. You can kill moss using zinc sulfate, but this substance can be a little too toxic. The general recommendation is to use products containing potassium salts of fatty acids instead.
Take note to apply this substance only on the areas containing moss growth, and do your best to prevent the wash water from entering storm drains.
Note: moss is different from algae. And as unpleasant as algae may seem, it poses no threat to your roof. So you can just let it be.
Avoid power-washing shingles
You may intuitively assume that power washing should be a quick and effective way to get moss off your roof, but it’s counterproductive.
The pressure from a power washer can loosen the granules from the shingles’ top layer. Instead, manually wash or sweep your roof as the case may be.
Final Words
Preventative roof maintenance does not only help you extend the lifespan of your roof but also helps you save cost of repair in the long run. So, however minimal your resources may be, giving some priority to your roofing can prevent you from incurring more expenses later, while also maintaining the beauty of your home from top to bottom.