Three Services That Can Help Your Roof Last Longer
As one of the most important parts of your home, your roof needs regular care and maintenance to keep it in good working order. To help your roof last longer, it helps to take advantage of services that help keep your roof and gutters clean, catch any problems early, and keep surrounding trees and plants from causing any damage.
Professional Cleaning
Your roof is made to withstand heat, rain, snow, wind, and more, but it still needs to be kept clean to make sure it doesn't wear out faster than it needs to.
One example of something you might need cleaned off is leaves. If you have trees nearby that shed their leaves and they end up on your roof, these leaves can hold in moisture or prevent it from otherwise evaporating, which can cause mold issues or water damage.
Another example is moss. Moss can have the same effect as leaves: it will hold in moisture and keep it stuck on your roof. Its roots can also damage your shingles and prevent them from fully protecting your roof.
Finally, your gutters need to be kept clear at all times, especially if you find yourself constantly cleaning away leaves. Clogged gutters hold in water, which can damage surrounding wood and roof material when they overflow.
Regular Inspections
Many signs of damage, rot, or other issues with your roof might be hidden enough that a cursory inspection won't help you find them. Having your roof inspected regularly is a great way to catch problems early, and to benefit from this, it's a good idea to ask a professional to inspect your roof for you.
A good inspection will involve looking at your roof both inside and out and looking at the state of your roofing materials—such as checking for missing or broken asphalt shingles—checking for signs of wood rot, sagging, or other structural damage, and looking at your insulation and ventilation.
You don't need to have your roof professionally inspected every year, but there are a few factors that could influence how often you should. For example, if you live in an area with more severe weather conditions, more frequent inspections are a good idea. This is also the case for older roofs, where signs of wear and aging will be more likely. To be safe, unless your roof has only been replaced in the past few years, have it inspected twice a year.
Tree Trimming
Trees or tall plants growing near your home can add to your property's aesthetic value, but they can also pose several risks, especially to your roof.
Leaves and branches that hang over your roof can hold in moisture, especially if they're touching your shingles. As the branches move, they could also scratch or damage your roof. Plants growing near your roof also give pests an easy way into your home, and this can be especially problematic with pests such as termites or even rodents that can damage wood.
Finally, having plants grow so close to your home is also a fire hazard, especially in dry hot weather when the temperature of your roof increases.
To help avoid these risks, make sure your plants and trees are regularly trimmed and kept safely away from your roof. This is also something that doesn't need to be done every year, but every few years is a safe option.
For more information about roofing services, contact a company like Queston Construction Inc.