A roof is one of the most important parts of a home but it often goes neglected as it is out of sight and out of mind. Since replacing a roof is very pricey, it is a good idea to keep yours well maintained as this will extend its life and save you money in the long run. Keeping an eye on your roof is also a good idea so you can catch any areas that may leak during winter or could let pests in before it becomes a problem.
Roof Safety
If you are going to do roof maintenance yourself, it is crucial to take some safety precautions. Make sure your ladder is on good footing and that you have some looking out for you in case something happens. Wear non-slip shoes and if you can, use a harness and a rope to tie yourself in to prevent falls.
Regular Inspections
In order to catch any potential problems, be sure your roof is getting looked at bare minimum once a year. The most important time of the year to get your roof checked out is in fall before heavy rain comes and causes any significant water damage to your home. Any particularly damp areas of shingles, mold growth, or water damage in the attic are signs that there is something wrong with your roof.
Clean off Debris
Having layers of organic material on your roof will cause unneeded wear and tear over the years. Keeping gutters clean is also vital in order to prevent excess water being in contact with your roof. Debris will hold water against the roof edge, potentially causing it to rot and even resulting in your gutters falling free as the wood they hold onto falls apart. There are professional services that can do this or you can do it yourself if you feel confident to do so.
Trim Branches
If there are any branches that overhang onto your roof, cut them back so they don’t fall and cause damage during storms due to wind or when they get heavy from ice and snow. They will also drop leaves and seeds onto your roof making more of a mess for you to clean up.
Be safe up there and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you are in the Mid-Willamette Valley and would like a recommendation for a roof specialist.