Most households rarely stop to consider the importance of a properly maintained roof until they’re faced with a roofing mishap. While it’s certainly easy to overlook your home’s roofing, doing so is liable to result in inconvenient – and expensive – consequences. 

In addition to protecting our homes from the elements, high-quality roofing can accentuate the aesthetic beauty of virtually any structure. That being the case, it’s in every homeowner’s best interest to make roof maintenance a priority. If a meticulously kept roof is what you’re after, put the following pointers to good use. 

 

Dirty gutters can impact your home in a number of ways. For starters, filthy gutters are liable to ruin the paint on your siding, creating an eyesore and facilitating the need to repaint. Furthermore, moisture-laden siding can result in a wet basement, potentially paving the way for the formation of mold and/or mildew. Excessive weight from leaves and other debris also stands to damage the gutters themselves, causing them to bend and break. However, unbeknownst to many homeowners, gutters that are packed to the brim with leaves can have an adverse effect on roofing. The moisture from these leaves can wick upward and find its way into roof sheathing. Not only can this rot the sheathing, it also stands to rot the roof rafters. Since replacing sheathing and/or rafters can be financially cumbersome, make a point of cleaning your gutters on a consistent basis. If you’re unable to climb a ladder or simply lack the time to devote to this chore, outsource gutter cleaning to a knowledgeable pro.   

As previously stated, the moisture from wet leaves can prove tremendously damaging to both sheathing and rafters. With this in mind, you’d be wise to remove leaves from your roof on a regular basis. If stray leaves aren’t removed, moisture is likely to accumulate, and if this coincides with the leaves decomposing, your roof may become a hotbed for weeds. Depending on the size and shape of your roof, leaf accumulation may not be an issue, but if leaves regularly pile up on your roofing, it’s strongly advised that you address the issue.

Removal methods vary depending on the pitch of one’s roof, but many people use roof rakes, leaf blowers and brooms to purge their roofing of leaves. Since this task may involve climbing a ladder, make sure to outsource it if you don’t feel 100% safe carrying it out. At the very least, other people should be present if you choose to undertake it on your own.  

If you live in an area that receives a significant amount of snowfall, you’ll need to keep an eye on your roof throughout the winter season. If massive amounts of snow accumulate on your roof, bending and roof collapse are possible outcomes. In addition to costing a king’s ransom to repair, both of these issues can present serious safety hazards for the people in your household. So, whenever you notice snow beginning to pile up, grab a dependable roof rake and work your way around the house.     

Excessive attic condensation is another serious consequence of snow pileup. For this reason, it is imperative that any insulation leaks in your attic’s floor be repaired posthaste. Since moisture buildup can result in wood rot and/or the formation of mold, no household can afford to treat attic condensation as an afterthought.    

When it comes to roofing issues, small problems have a tendency to turn into outright disasters if not addressed in a timely manner. As such, it’s recommended that you search online for ‘roofing companies near me’ the next time you encounter a potential issue with your home’s roof. 

 

Although it’s easy to overlook a home’s roofing, doing so is extremely ill-advised. Since a well-maintained roof is crucial to protecting your residence from the elements and helping you maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, you’d be wise to regard roof maintenance with the importance it deserves. Fortunately, provided you stay on top of things, keeping your roof in prime condition doesn’t have to be a cumbersome chore or prohibitively expensive. With the previously discussed tips at your disposal, you should have no trouble keeping your roofing in great shape for the foreseeable future.