Roof Care Tips For Keeping Your Asphalt Shingle Roof In Top Shape
Your asphalt shingle roof needs regular care to protect the shingles. It may not be safe for you to climb up on your roof yourself, so consider hiring a roof care service like Alpine Roofing to maintain your roof for you. Here are some things that might need to be done to keep your asphalt shingle roof in good shape.
Clean Off Debris That Won't Fall Off
If your roof has a steep slope, leaves, and twigs may roll off on their own. Otherwise, leaves may get stuck in the valleys and accumulate. Rotting leaves attract bugs, birds, and other pests, so they should be removed.
If the leaves won't fall off when it rains or when the wind blows, then you may want the roof care service to climb up on the roof and sweep the leaves off. This allows the shingles to dry out so mold won't start to grow.
Wash The Roof
The asphalt shingles can get dirty and ugly after a few years. Washing the roof makes a big difference, especially if there are large dark stains from algae growth. However, you have to be careful about washing asphalt shingles since it's so easy to damage them or drive water under them when cleaning the roof.
You'll want a roof care service that cleans roofs gently, such as using a soft washing method. They may also use products that kill off algae and moss so the growths fall off when they die rather than having to scrub or use high water pressure to remove them.
Clean Out The Gutters
Although gutters are separate from the roof, they are part of the roofing system, and they can harm the roof if they get clogged up with leaves. Gutters usually need to be cleaned out each year to get rid of leaf clumps, twigs, and other tree debris. You might want gutters cleaned at the same time leaves are swept from your roof.
Trim Back Branches
Tree branches can do a lot of damage to your roof directly by scraping off granules and indirectly by providing roof access to rats, squirrels, and raccoons. You may need to hire a tree trimming company to come out and trim branches back every year to two to keep them away from your roof.
Inspect For Damage
When the roof care service is on your roof, they can look for signs that your roof may need service from a roofer. If they see missing shingles, holes in flashing, or other problems with your roof that could lead to a roof leak, they should let you know so you can have repairs done promptly and prevent further damage to your roof.