Lasting 20 to 30 years, the roof is an often overlooked part of your home. However, like other parts of your home, the topic of roofing maintenance needs to be visited. What’s safe for a homeowner to do? When should you call a professional?
In terms of roofing maintenance, here’s what you can do as a diligent homeowner:
Check the shingles. After a heavy storm or high winds, check the shingles and other roof hardware. Pick up a pair of binoculars and check to see if shingles are missing, curled, or cracked. Also check to see if the flashing is peeling or the granule, nails, or roof bolts are missing.
If you notice any of these roofing problems, contact a professional to further inspect the damage and make necessary repairs to your roof.
Look for leaks in the attic and ceilings. If the roof needs maintenance, water damage will likely appear, especially in the ceiling and in the attic. Water damage can cause rotten attic boards and other unsightly problems in your home. Check for water damage by looking for these common warning signs:
- Musty odors in certain rooms
- Water stains on the ceiling
- Spots on the exterior walls
- Bulging patches on the interior walls
A roof leak can cause significant damage throughout your entire home. If you find water damage due to the roof, contact a professional to further inspect the damage and make necessary repairs.
Clean the gutters. This is the most common tip for roof maintenance. Clogged gutters make it easy for water to seep under the structure of the roof, which leaves serious water damage. Clean the gutters twice per year in the late spring and early fall.
Trim overhanging branches. Tree branches can fall on the roof during extreme weather, causing a lot of damage. Cut off any large or overhanging branches that are directly over the roof. This roof maintenance tip reduces storm damage, prevents leaves from clogging the gutters, and curbs roof rot.
Remove moss and mold. According to Angie’s List, you should gently spray the roof with moss remover and cleaner. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, wait until the remover/cleaner does its work, and brush off the moss with a soft-bristled broom or wide handheld brush.
In terms of roofing maintenance, here’s what you should leave to a roofing professional like Bird’s Eye Roofing:
Replace or repair shingles. This is more than do-it-yourself roof maintenance. Replacing or repairing shingles, flashing, nails, or granule is a professional task. This also applies to tightening roof hardware like roof bolts. Contact a roofing professional to fix anything on the roof.
Get a professional roofing inspection. A roofing professional is able to spot roofing problems that you might’ve missed from the ground. They’ll also offer invaluable maintenance tips and an estimate of how many more years the roof will last.
A professional roofing inspection is recommended every two years, but an annual inspection is best, especially if you live in an area with extreme weather like high winds or heavy rain.
Replace the roof. Roof replacement is not a do-it-yourself weekend project. Roof replacement is a large-scale project that requires the experience and expertise of a roofing professional.
Bird’s Eye Roofing in Georgia installs a leak-free roof in a timely manner. We ensure a quality installation and a customer-first approach. We’ll explain what’s happening every step of the way and answer all your questions about roofing. That’s why we’re the top roofing contractor in Atlanta.
For more information about how Bird’s Eye Roofing can help you, contact us for a roof tune-up.