No matter what type of warranty your roof has, it will not live its full lifespan if you do not maintain it properly. Just a few simple maintenance steps can keep your roof operating at its full potential, reducing how soon you need to replace it and protecting your interior from leaks. The pros at RGB Construction offer the following maintenance tips to keep your roof looking beautiful and performing as it was designed to perform.
Clean Your Gutters
Probably the easiest yet most overlooked maintenance for your roof is keeping your gutters clear of debris. Delaware roofing companies recommend cleaning the gutters to help prevent them from becoming clogged, which can lead to pooling rainwater inside the gutter. Although pooling water can cause your gutters to rust or rot, it can lead to even more serious issues as well. If pooled rainwater freezes in your gutters during the winter, it can lead to ice dams which may push up the shingles on your roof or even damage the flashing below the roof’s edge. If this happens, water can seep below the underlayment and cause significant damage to your roof. You can use a ladder to reach your gutters and scoop out any debris, then run a hose to be sure that all the debris is washed through the downspouts. If any of your gutters appear to be sagging, be sure to replace that section.
Trim Tree Branches
If you have tree branches hanging over your house, it is very important that you trim them back as much as possible. Branches hanging over your house could result in added debris in your gutters. Delaware is prone to storms that may have high winds or heavy rain which may cause branches to break and fall onto your roof, causing damage. If you have the proper tools, trimming tree branches is relatively easy, especially if the branches are small. However, you also want to be sure you are trimming the tree at the proper time of year and that you don’t trim so far back, you injure the tree. Of course, you also want to remove any vines or vegetation that may be climbing your downspouts or along the edges of your roof as well. These can hide insects that could damage your roof as well.
Replace Broken Shingles and Gutters
Inspect your roof for broken shingles and gutters, replacing any that are broken or damaged as soon as possible. If you notice a leak in your home, this may be due to broken or cracked shingles. It is possible that a broken shingle does not need to be completely replaced, the best roofing company in Delaware explains. Some may be repaired using roofing sealant, but you will want a professional to perform those repairs. If you have suffered roof damage during a storm, it is also recommended that you reach out to professional Delaware roofing companies who can assess the damage and get the repairs done quickly.
Remove Ice Dams and Icicles
Although they may be pretty in the winter, icicles are especially damaging to your roof and could indicate areas where you need to perform maintenance. Icicles can be caused by ice dams in your gutters and they also add weight to your roofing materials. Although most parts of Delaware do not receive significant amounts of snow, there are winters where snowfall is heavy and northern areas of the state are more likely to see heavy snowfall than southern areas.
If several inches of snow accumulate on your roof, the weight can cause stress which may reduce the lifespan of your roof. Another issue with icicles and snow piles on the roof is that they can fall as the weather warms, injuring people or pets. There have been instances when gutters have fallen with the snow and ice as well, so it is important to remove them as soon as possible.
Repair or Replace Flashing
Your home has many fixtures on it that keep your house running smoothly, from chimneys to vents to exhaust fans. You may even have skylights installed on your roof. All of these features have what is known as flashing installed at the base to cover crevices that exist after they are installed. If your flashing is broken or damaged, you may need to have it replaced. Be sure to call the best roofing company in Delaware to perform those repairs for you to be sure they are done properly.
Algae and Moss
If you have noticed algae or moss growing on your roof, your first thought may be that it is unattractive. Although this is true, this is not the main reason you should not allow algae or moss to grow on the roof. These invasive species can damage your shingles and spread below the shingle into the underlayment. If this should happen, your roof will need a full replacement which may be costly as the entire underlayment and shingles will need to be replaced. If you notice algae or moss on your roof, scrape them away immediately and spread preventatives over that area to retard growth. Most preventatives contain copper and zinc which will kill moss and algae spores. If you live in an area where this is common, you can apply the products annually.
Bring in the Best Delaware Roofing Company For Maintenance
These simple steps can help keep your roof looking beautiful and operating properly for many years. If you need assistance with routine maintenance or believe you need a roof repair or replacement, contact us the experienced Delaware roofers of RGB Construction today to set up a no-obligation consultation. You can arrange an appointment by calling 856-264-9093 or by filling out the easy online form.
