Roofs withstand a lot of abuse. There’s the hot sun and severe weather in the summer months, rain and leaves in the fall and, in certain climates, snow in the winter months. With all of the abuse that roofs take, it’s only fitting that they need to be regularly inspected and, if necessary, repaired or replaced. It’s good to get in the habit of getting up there yourself (or hiring a roofing contractor to inspect your roof) to check things out once a year. Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
Missing/damaged shingles
Things could get really messy should shingles become dislodged or damaged, so it’s always a good idea to have a handful of extra shingles on hand as replacements just in case. The most common times of shingle damage are usually after severe storms or high winds.
Gaps
A good portion of the time, when there’s visible gaps between the roof and the chimney, windows, vents, etc., the issue can be resolved with caulking. Other times, however, more extensive roof repair or vent/window replacement may be necessary.
Debris/animals
Two other threats to the integrity of your roof are animals and debris. For instance, bird droppings can wreak havoc on your shingles, accelerating their wear. And claw marks from squirrels or other critters aren’t doing your roof any favors either. Many animals may receive access to your roof via trees, so make sure that branches are trimmed accordingly. It’s also important to make sure that tree branches aren’t coming into contact with your roof. Along the lines of debris, any moss or algae growing on your roof should also be removed, and the reasons behind its growth remedied. Usually moss only grows where it is damp, so it may be growing on parts of your roof that are shaded by trees.
Gutter problems
If your roof doesn’t drain properly, water could back up in the gutters and enter your property, both during rains and in the winter when it snows. So make sure that you clean your gutters a couple of times a year, preferably in the fall and spring, to remove leaves, sticks and other debris that could prevent proper drainage.
Your roof is extremely important in keeping the elements out of your home. You don’t want to be putting buckets around the house every time it rains now, do you? That’s why roof maintenance should be taken seriously. And while you can do a fair amount of observing your roof’s condition from the ground, it really pays to dig your ladder out of the shed and actually get up there to see things up close. It’s not a task for everyone – and that’s where a qualified roofing contractor comes in with carrying out inspection and repair services.
Let the experts at Precision Contracting Services help you with your roofing issues. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Want to learn more about whole home remodeling in PA? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Remodeling Your Luxury Home.