6 Easy Roof Maintenance Tips to Make it Long Lasting

Placing a new roof costs a lot and you've spent a lot on something, you have to protect it. A roof is something significant to deal with. Some people will ignore that their roofs might need maintenance, and the consequences come when they need to sell the house or roof problems such as leaking. Proper maintenance of the roof should be the best way to avoid unnecessary problems in the future, hence reducing your roof's cost.

Roof maintenance can be successful by removing moss on the roof, removing leaves, roof coating, checking for shingle damage and prune overhanging branches, preventing ice dams, and checking the attic. Call this Baltimore roofing contractor for all your needs.

Photo by Juliana Tanchak on Unsplash

Removal of leaves

A simple peaked roof surrounded by a low landscape can probably stay clear, but if trees are nearby and the roofs are complicated, then the roofs are always filled with leaves. The leaves collect near chimneys or in roof valleys. If not removed, the leaves will trap moisture and decompose, then allow moisture to compile in your roof, creating a fertile ground for weeds to grow. If the house is a one-story house with a low-slope roof, then the leaves can be removed using a car washing brush placed on a telescoping pole. A unique tool is known as a leaf rake and a leaf blower can also be used, especially on dry leaves.

1. Removal of moss

Like leaves, moss also damages a roof, but you can remove them by using chemical substances. Roofs that are composed are mostly covered with black algae, and its growth does not hurt the roof. A detergent mixed with water or a little chlorine will finish it off, but it's advised to leave it alone for the safety of both the roof and you. The moss needs to be killed first if there is a lot of build-ups. It's then recommended to use products based on potassium salts of fatty acids instead of toxic formulas that zinc sulfate. It can also be removed by applying soap on where the moss is growing and try preventing the wash water from getting in the storm drains.

After the roof is cleaned and free from moss, you should install the zinc strips on the roof to prevent the moss from coming back. The runoff from the strips inhibits the growth of mosts when raining. Zinc strips are more eco-friendly and effective instead of treating the whole roof with pesticides.

2. Prevent Ice Dams

Ice dams are nasty any they cause damage to the roof and removing them from the roof might cause leaking into the house. It's not advisable to pry off the ice formed already since that can damage the roof. Instead, use a roof rake to remove the snow within three feet of the gutters. One can also get a telescoping pole and work from the ground and if a ladder is necessary, work at an angle that the falling snow won't push you down.

Air leaks and inadequate insulation into the attic the risk of ice dams, so after a great storm, check on the roofs.

3. Prune overhanging branches and check shingle damages

Tree trimming prevents damage to a roof by keeping moss and leaves off the roof. Friction from leaves and limbs that touch a roof can damage shingles, incredibly high wind. Overhanging branches also give other rodents and squirrels the chance to access your roof; thus, they can gnaw on the roof. The branches should be away from the roof, or if not possible, the tree trunk can be wrapped with a metal-sheet bank to prevent the rodents and squirrels from climbing the tree.

Check the shingle daily since you may never know if it's damage from something striking the tree. If the shingles are buckled, curled, or missing, then the roof must be repaired immediately.

4. Check the attic

The attic is an indication that shows if a roof needs to be replaced or it's still holding. If water stains are evident and daylight peeks pass through the boards, then the roofs need to be fixed earlier before any more damages. The attic also shows how well a roof can perform after a big storm.

5. Roof coating

Roof coating is the best method used if you want your roof to last for a long time. There are different types of roof coating that includes;

Acrylic coating: They are durable and inexpensive elastomeric coatings that have potent biocides and emulsion polymers that prevent dirt accumulation on the roof and provide superior resistance to mildew.

Silicone: Silicone coating is the best choice for providing UV protection and resisting pond water. They erode slowly without becoming hard and contain high solids content. You can use less material to achieve this film thickness.

Asphalt Emulsion: It has asphalt particles dispersed in water with clay as a bonding element. It is black or brown and contains inorganic and organic compounds that strengthen and durability of the roof.

Butyl Rubber: They are also the best due to their tensile strength and extreme elongation. It contains a solvent-based polymer that is fast drying, highly reflective, and suitable for roof maintenance and repair.

Importance of roof maintenance

Roof maintenance is essential since it reduces costs used to replace another roof and makes a roof last longer. If you want a long-lasting roof, then you should follow the above steps.

Author Bio

For the past 20 years, American High Tech Roof Coating has been owned by Javier Chavez who runs their company throughout the Los Angeles, California Area servicing commercial buildings that require new roofs but opt into silicone cool roofing instead.