Home maintenance is probably always on your mind as a homeowner. It can be difficult to remember to check every small detail. Here at Sterling Construction, we get it! Due to your busy schedule, you can not possibly keep track of everything, so we are here to help. Your roof is the most critical and significant part of your home. It covers and protects all the other parts of your home, so if you take care of it, it will take care of you.
Taking proper care of your roof ensures that it will last for many years to come and will protect you from the elements, such as rain and snow. Additionally, it protects not only the interior of your home but also the exterior, including siding, windows, and doorways. If you do routine maintenance checks on your roof, you cut down on the maintenance costs of other areas of your home. To perform quality maintenance checks, you should be aware of problem areas.
It is essential to have your roof inspected regularly by a professional roofer. They have the knowledge and training to know if your roof has any underlying issues. However, there are some simple things you can watch out for:
- Gutters: Your gutters are your roof’s drainage system. If they are clogged with debris, water will get backed up and cause damage to your roof and foundation. You should check your gutters every one to two months if you live in an area with a lot of trees, such as Michigan. You should clean out your trees twice a year if you do not have many trees in your area.
- Check your shingles and roofing materials: Just like everything else, shingles have a lifespan. Older shingles tend to crack and curl over time. The granules on asphalt shingles wash away, leaving them susceptible to absorbing moisture. While some of these signs can be seen from the ground, you can’t see the whole picture. You should reach out to your roofing professionals right away so that they can assess the damage.
- Trim your branches: Trimming any branches near your home is a preventative measure you can take to help your gutters. Not only does this help to keep leaves and debris out of your gutters, but it also helps prevent any damage during a storm.
- Having the right insulation in your attic: In plain terms, your home needs to breathe. If you don’t allow it to breathe, moisture and heat get trapped in your roof, creating problems such as mold and ice dams in the winter. You can prevent this by having quality insulation in your attic.
Ultimately, roofs, like people, do not last indefinitely. They will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. However, if you perform routine maintenance checks, you can prolong the lifespan of your roof and cut down on the number of repairs you have to make. Knowing what to look out for will help you keep your roof in the best possible condition.
Call us today at Sterling Construction to schedule your routine maintenance check!
