Roof Maintenance Tips for Non-Experts

Not every homeowner is a roofing expert; in fact, most are not. But every homeowner owns a roof and needs that roof to stay healthy in order to protect them and their family from the elements. Fortunately, routine roof maintenance doesn’t need to be done by a roofing expert or professional. With the proper steps, most homeowners can do their own roof maintenance. Here are a few of our favorite roof maintenance tips for non-experts:

Keep an Eye Out

Many roofing issues you may actually be able to spot by keeping an eye on them. From the ground, you can look at your roof and search for any sign of missing, damaged, or curled shingles. All of these could lead to potential issues of roof leaks. A deeply discolored spot on the roof could mean that you have water damage or roof rot. You can also observe from your attic. On a sunny day, if you notice shafts of light breaking through the ceiling in the attic, you know that you have a potential leak that needs to be taken care of.

Clean Your Gutters

Your roof gutters are the first line of defense for your roof. They help prevent leaks by funneling water away from the roof down the downspout and away from the house. If your roof gutters are clogged, water isn’t able to escape to their path and will instead pool on the roof. With the winter weather that Houston had recently, this could even potentially lead to ice dams, in which water becomes trapped beneath a pile of snow, thaws due to the warmth coming from inside the house, and then freezes again as it is unable to escape. Keep the path clear and make sure your gutters are in good shape, not pulling away from the house, scratched, or dinged in order to protect your roof.

Trim Back Trees

Surrounding the house with trees can give it a tranquil beauty, but if those trees are too close, they can possibly do damage to your roof. Make sure that you trim back any overhanging branches so that they don’t scrape too close to your roof. A good rule of thumb is to give your roof at least three feet of space from any trees. It won’t hurt the curb appeal very much, but it will serve to protect your roof.

Include Roof Ventilation

The more your roof can breathe, the less at risk it will be for things like roof rot, mold, and leaks. That’s why it’s a good idea to have some roof ventilation that allows indoor air to circulate out in a healthy fashion. When you have roof ventilation, it will typically be surrounded by flashing — thin metal that covers the corners of the vent to keep water from seeping in. Keep an eye on this flashing to make sure it doesn’t come loose, as this could potentially lead to leaks. 

Add Attic Insulation

Attic insulation will help to keep the warm air inside the house from getting out, as well as keep cold air from seeping in. It will strengthen and fortify your attic and, by extension, your roof. If your attic is not insulated, the lower layer of snow is likely to melt and then freeze again beneath the top layers of snow, causing ice dams. Attic insulation is important to the health of your roof, your attic, and even the structure of your home.

Take Stock After a Storm

Storms can wreak havoc on your roof. It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for missing, curled, or damaged shingles regularly, but after a storm you’ll want to be especially diligent. It might even be a good idea to climb a ladder up to the roof so you can see the damage from up close. You’re looking for missing or chipped shingles or granules that have fallen from the shingles into the gutter. Again, dark discoloration or streaks can also speak to roofing issues for which you’ll want to hire a roofer to make repairs.

Keep Moss and Algae At Bay

Moss and algae are unsightly, and the more of a hold they have on your roof, the more they can weaken it. This is a big issue, not one you should simply hope will go away. You might not think about washing your roof much, but when it comes to moss and algae, it’s a good idea to give it a wash. Use an eco-friendly pesticide to stop moss in its tracks, or hire a professional to do a roof cleaning if you don’t feel comfortable going up there yourself.

Schedule a Regular Roof Inspection

One of the best roof maintenance tips for non-experts is to have a roofing expert at your side. Even if you regularly take a look at your roof and don’t notice anything wrong with it, a roofing professional might catch something you didn’t. That’s why it’s a good idea to schedule an annual roof inspection. This will serve as a checkup for your roof, making sure that it stays healthy as years go on and that any necessary repairs can be made as soon as possible.

Anyone can do roof maintenance for their home. You don’t have to be an expert. But it helps to have an expert at your back to repair your roof when you need it. That’s where Houston Roofing has you covered. We are meticulous about roofing and go above and beyond in Texas. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you or get started with a free estimate.