The roof over your head is the ultimate protection for you and your family. It shields you from the hot Florida sun and keeps you dry during our severe Sarasota area rainstorms.

A breach in your roof, no matter how small, can become serious quickly – and unfortunately, roof damage often goes undetected until it has caused damage to not only your roof but to the frame and even the interior of your home.

In order to best mitigate any roof problems that may occur, here is a “healthy roof regimen”  created to assist you in keeping your roof in top shape and functioning as it is designed to do.

 3 Steps to a Healthy Roof

1. Check often for damaged or missing shingles or tiles

With our weather and climate, it is best to check your roof for damage a few times a year, especially after severe storms.  Shingles or tiles which have been compromised should be replaced immediately, as not doing so leaves your roof vulnerable to leaks.

Often, debris may damage shingles, but they may also be eroded by weather and time. If asphalt shingles are losing their granules or curling up at the edges, maintenance is needed. If clay tiles are cracked or broken, they should be replaced as well.

Remember, it is highly recommended that you hire a licensed and insured roofing contractor to do this work – not only can it be dangerous up on the roof, but the roof should be fully inspected to make sure that the problem does not extend beyond the tiles themselves. Replacing a few shingles without realizing there is water damage beneath them could prove to be short-sighted in the long run.

2. Make sure the roof is clean and free of possible debris

Although mold and fungus are more aesthetically displeasing than damaging in the short-term, over time this growth can erode your roofing materials and cause leaks and intrusion. Cleaning your roof once a year will not only keep your roof looking beautiful, but will help to maximize its lifespan. But be aware – power washing your roof may cause damage as well, so check with a roofing professional first about the best way to clean algae or moss and keep it at bay.

If you have a metal roof, check for signs of rust and degradation.

But your roof maintenance shouldn’t end there. Make sure your gutters are routinely cleaned out, so that rainwater flows freely and does not dam up, causing pooling and possible leaks. One great way to keep both roof and gutters free of most debris is to trim tree branches away from the roof.

3. Check the integrity of all sealants

Check the roof sealant around skylights, chimneys, vents, or any roof penetrations. Inspect your roofing tiles to ensure that they are securely sealed and that the sealant is not dried up or cracking. Water can easily seep into any space not sealed against it, so old or eroding sealant on an otherwise well-maintained roof may still result in damage.

Where is the best place to start in determining that you have a healthy roof?  Schedule a thorough roof inspection which will address all of the issues above.

If you fix any issues you find, then a routine inspection once or twice a year will ensure that damage does not progress to the point of a costly structural repair. With the right care, your roof will last several decades  – let Avery Roof Services help you to maximize the lifespan of this important investment.