If you’re a new homeowner, it’s important to keep your house in good condition, as it is a good way of ensuring the finance that went into buying the house does the most. One of the things that need regular maintenance is the roof.
Have a look at the five tips below to give you an idea of the maintenance you should do on your roof as a new homeowner.
Check the Attic’s Insulation and Ventilation
Make sure that your attic is well insulated and does not allow heat loss through the roof. This will prevent ice dams from forming in cold weather when the snow on the roof melts and refreezes around the shingles. Good insulation and proper ventilation will also prevent heat damage and other issues that could arise over the freeze and thaw cycle. With 23% of homeowners never inspecting their roof or only inspecting it when there’s a problem, you should know that you can make a big difference by stopping the damage from happening in the first place. Check out this attic insulation and ventilation product from Amazon.
Trim Branches Near the Roof
If you notice low-hanging branches near your roof, you should trim them before they fall and potentially block the gutters or even spoil the roof. The falling leaves will be a big source of debris that adds extra weight to your roof, also allowing for the formation of mold and algae. Repeated scraping by the branches against your roof will also damage the shingles and weaken them over a short time. An annual inspection of the trees growing around your house is a good way of finding any branches that need to be removed and trimming them.
Inspect the Shingles
A shingle roof has an average life span of 13 years, so a good way of knowing the maintenance you need to do is to find out the age of the roof. A thorough inspection is another way of estimating a roof’s age because, based on the condition of the roof, you will be well-placed to know what needs to be done. Enlist the help of an able friend or family member in getting up on the roof to perform an inspection, or simply call a professional roof contractor for this. The finance that goes into a roof inspection can help you save a lot more if it helps you make the right move before your roof caves in or starts to leak, damaging property within your new house.
Clean the Gutters
The gutters play a crucial role in making sure both your roof and driveway remain in good condition. This is because they direct rainwater off your roof and into a designated drainage system, keeping it off your driveway and away from your houses’ foundation. Make sure that your gutters are clear of debris and dirt which may cause a blockage, and your roof will have a better chance of staying in good condition for a long time. Use this gutter cleaner for easier gutter cleaning.
Remove Debris, Moss, and Algae
Leaving debris on the roof creates a good environment for the growth of moss and algae as well as mold, which starts growing in 24 to 48 hours in the right conditions of food, moisture, and temperatures between 41 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Besides damaging your roof over time, these give it an unsightly appearance and should be cleared off as soon as they start to appear.
To make sure you’re one step ahead of potential issues with your roof, it’s important to not only perform regular maintenance but also involve an expert when necessary. Inevitably, you will come to the point at which you need to replace your roof. To make sure your finances are well-secured, it’s best to replace it as opposed to performing many quick fixes which will add up to a lot in the end.
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