Top Tips for Proper Roof Maintenance
Roofing tends to be long-forgotten when it comes to cleaning and maintaining a household. We all like to keep our house clean and ensure all the repairs are done, but what about roof maintenance?
Maintaining a roof is rarely on the top of a homeowner’s to-do list. However, with proper roof maintenance, you can increase its longevity and avoid additional damages that come with its neglect.
On top of this, you can take the DIY approach and, using our roof maintenance tips, guarantee that your roof surpasses its expected lifetime. For now, let’s take a closer look at a checklist for maintaining your roof, as well as what it includes, why it’s important, and how often you should do it.
Roof Maintenance Checklist – Step by Step
For all adventurer homeowners, taking care of your roof is a given. You don’t need us to help you out, even when SoCal gets hit with the rare blizzard or more common heatwave. However, we’ve compiled a brief roof maintenance checklist so that you can clearly understand what roof parts you’ll need to inspect closely.
Start From the Inside While it sounds counterintuitive, your house’s interior may give out clear signs of roof problems. Check your ceiling, attic, and walls for water damage, from mold to peeling paint. If any of these starts to emerge, you can contact us for a free inspection to help you out with the steps you need to take.
Get a Glimpse of the Exterior Once you’ve checked the inside, it’s time to take a quick look at the outside. You don’t need to climb up to the roof just yet, though; simply scan it for some eye-catching damage, like missing shingles or mold buildup.
Have a Thorough Look at Your Entire Roof If there’s no significant damage on the interior, and you don’t notice any of it on the roof’s surface upon first look, grab a ladder and climb up to inspect it. You should especially look out for the following: - Broken or damaged shingles - Clogged gutters - Moss and Lichen buildup - Insufficient flashing/caulking
Clear Out Roof Dirt and Debris Before you replace the caulk around your chimney and clear up your roof’s gutters, start by removing all the dirt and debris accumulated on its surface. This way, you won’t have to deal with mold, and your roof will keep its vibrant color.
Trim Any Trees Overlooking the Roof Look, we know that an overgrown tree will look incredible, especially during the beautiful SoCal fall. However, all the branches and leaves that come from it once the wind blows can be devastating for your roof. So, keep your trees trimmed to avoid any further roof damage.
It’s Time for Repairs!
Once you’ve identified what parts of the roof require maintenance, it’s time to get to work. Repair damaged shingles, clean up the gutters, wash away all the moss and mold buildup, and apply new caulking around your chimney, vents, and pipes.
That being said, getting professional roof maintenance might still be necessary, even if you did your best with the DIY method.
What Does Roof Maintenance Include
Professionally maintaining a roof is mainly based on the roof maintenance tips we mentioned above. Generally speaking, before maintenance occurs, a roof inspection will take place to determine how much it’ll cost and what problems your roof might have. With that in mind, here’s what roof maintenance usually includes.
Roof damage repairs: From shingles to flashing, typical roof maintenance will take care of all the necessary repairs.
Roof cleaning: Before any repairs are made, the roof will be thoroughly cleaned by the contractor to ensure that no dirt or mold is present.
Caulk and coating application: For sloped roofs, new layers of caulk will be applied to any gaps. For flat roofs, an elastomeric coating, like silicone roof coating, may also be applied.
Why Is Roof Maintenance Important
Roof maintenance can be easily compared to a medical check-up. If your roof’s damage is left untreated, it’ll significantly reduce its longevity and lead to even more problems in the future. Plus, we believe that by having your roof checked regularly, you won’t have to worry about replacing it.
How Often Should You Do Roof Maintenance
In general, we suggest you maintain your roof twice a year. The best time to do so in SoCal is once the temperature drops after our scorching summers. But it’s also a great idea to take a look at your roof right after winter, especially in the rare case of snow.
We’ll Take Care of Your Roof’s Maintenance
So, there’s no doubt that roof maintenance is a necessity. And while you can use our roof maintenance tips to do it on your own, sometimes, a professional’s help is necessary. Here’s where we will join the party!
At Roofing Wise, we pride ourselves on providing SoCal's best roof maintenance services. We’ll take care of everything, from repairs to applying coatings to replacing your entire roof.
Call us at (833) 315-7663 for a free inspection!