Roof maintenance is not something that we think of every day. In fact, many people rarely even consider their roof, unless a major storm causes damage, or a water stain appears on their living room ceiling.
Sarasota area weather can do a number on your roof’s condition. From blazing sunshine to pounding rainstorms and high winds, your roof takes the brunt of the elements, and is the main defense between you and the outdoors. Therefore the first big “Do!” of roof maintenance is making it an important part of your home maintenance routine.
Why Roof Maintenance is So Important
As noted, your roof is the obvious barrier between you and the sometimes harsh South Florida climate. Because your roof protects the rest of your home from water leaks and damage, it is imperative that it is kept in its best possible condition. A damaged or breached roof can result in water intrusion in all areas of your home, mold growth which can cause significant health problems, and even damage to interior electrical systems and drywall.
Once you notice a wet area on your ceiling or mold growth in your attic, the roof has likely been leaking for quite some time. Therefore regular roof maintenance is a great way to safeguard you and your family, by catching the damage on the exterior before the water intrusion causes significant harm inside your home.
Do’s and Dont’s of Roof Maintenance
Do These Things
- Perform a roof inspection annually. If possible, hire a professional roofing contractor. Not only is it safer, but they can easily spot – and repair – any minor damage.
- Check the integrity of your roof after any major rain or wind storm. Stand on a ladder and visually inspect each area of the roof. Be sure someone is holding the ladder steady for safety.
- Walk around your property and look up for possible soffit, eave or gutter system damage.
- Look for missing or broken tiles or shingles, or any areas of obvious erosion.
- Keep your roof free of any algae, mold, debris or tree branches. Cut back tree limbs so that there is no danger of them scraping on the roof – or falling on the roof – during a weather event.
- Check asphalt shingles for granular loss. A good indicator of this deterioration is the presence of granules in your gutters or at the base of your downspouts.
- Clean out your gutters regularly, and make sure they are fastened correctly to the roofing structure.
- Perform a check in your attic for water intrusion – look for damp framing, dark spots, or matted insulation which is also moist.
- Walk through your home after a major rainstorm, and look for water stains on ceilings and walls.
Don’t Do These Things:
- Never put off roof maintenance until you are aware of a problem. By the time you are aware of a problem, it is likely a major issue which may have been easily solved if the issue was caught earlier.
- Never climb on a wet roof. For that matter, never climb on a roof if you are not comfortable doing so, and have taken appropriate safety measures.
- Do not walk directly on clay tile roofs. Doing so is likely to result in cracked tiles and additional damage. Allow a roofing professional to conduct top-of-roof inspections for tile roofs.Avery Roof Services have been helping Sarasota homeowners to maintain and repair their residential and commercial roofs for decades. Call today to schedule your annual roof inspection, and set up a recurring maintenance schedule with our team. Then sit back and relax, knowing that you are doing the very best to protect your home and family.
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