Sagging gutters and an accumulation of debris prevent water from draining properly, leading to roof and siding damage as well as low-hanging tree branches damaging shingles.
Inspect Your Roof Regularly
Your roof serves as the first line of defense against extreme weather and storms, so regular inspections should be carried out to make sure it's doing its job effectively. Any missing shingles, clogged gutters, or any other issues should be dealt with quickly before they cause major damage and require costly repairs or even roof replacements.
Professional roof inspectors such as Synay Roofing (https://sinayroofingwv.com/roofing-serving-charleston-west-virginia/) will examine for deteriorating shingle materials; stained, curling or missing shingles; leaky ceilings and attics in your home; as well as flashing around chimneys and vent pipes and reapply caulking as required.
Your roof should always be inspected from the ground or with a ladder, never from directly on top. A professional should always be hired to conduct roof inspections to detect issues before they worsen - not only for shingles, but also fascia boards and soffit for damage.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
Gutters are designed to collect and direct rainwater off your roof and away from your home, but clogged gutters prevent this from occurring effectively. Instead, water may accumulate on your roof faster, leading to premature wear-and-tear and faster deterioration than would otherwise occur.
Leaves, twigs and other debris can clog your gutters and disrupt water's natural flow, forcing it to back up onto your roof where it could cause leaks and other problems. This may result in leaks.
Gutter cleaning may seem like an unpleasant chore, but it is an integral part of maintaining your roof. Gutter cleaning becomes especially crucial during the hotter summer months when more heat absorbs by your roof's shingles than normal. To avoid overheating during this process, be sure to start early or take frequent breaks while doing your gutter work and avoid overdoing it - it will prevent overheating altogether! Additionally, check for any flashing (galvanized metal used around chimneys and vents) which has become damaged as soon as possible so as this prevents water seepage from entering and damaging its structure over time.
Trim Trees Near Your Home
Trees add shade and beauty to any home, but too close can cause serious damage if left alone. Rubbing against roof surfaces could result in scratched tiles or they could even break under increased winds; regular trimming can help ensure these events don't occur.
Regular tree trimming can also reduce the amount of debris that winds up in your gutters, helping extend their lifespan while also avoiding leaks or any other problems caused by clogged gutters.
As well as trimming away dead branches, you should also prune suckers, which are weak, weedy-looking growths at the base of trees that should be removed immediately upon detection as they sap energy from other parts of the tree and slow its growth. It is also wise to cut any crossing or rubbing branches that might otherwise damage each other over time.
Seal Flashings
Roof leaks often result from improper installation or degradation of flashing sealant, making it vital that roof owners check and reseal any areas which require attention, such as chimneys, stacks or vents. It is particularly important that chimney flashing be regularly checked.
Leaks from poorly installed or missing flashing can quickly lead to wood rot, mold growth and water damage inside of your home. Flashing is made up of metal pieces placed strategically where roof planes meet other surfaces such as vertical walls or chimneys.
Many roofing companies report that leaks around chimneys are their top call, usually caused by improperly installed flashing or sealant that has degraded over time. Easily remedied using quality roof cement.
