Simple Roof Maintenance
All roof types Roof Maintenance
It does not matter if your roof is wood shake-shingles, comp shingles, tile, hot mop or whatever. Your roof needs you. Roof maintenance should be done seasonally or at least semi-annually. Before harsh winter sets in is a good time. Walk your roof slowly and inspect it thoroughly one section at a time. Get rid of all leaves, branches, twigs and any other debris. An electric or gas blower does this job nicely.
Look for broken or missing shingles, shakes or tiles. Nail down or replace shakes that are curled and sticking up. Replace shakes that are exposing felt between shakes. Nails sticking up should be driven down. Trim tree branches hanging within 4ft of roof. Clear gutters and downspouts by spraying water with a hose.
Pay particular attention to roof protrusions and where different sections of roofs meet or intersect with walls. Most roof leaks develop in these areas. Roof protrusions are anything that sticks thru the roof, such as pipes, vents, chimneys etc. Remove cracked or dried out caulking and replace with a good polyurethane caulking. Use a wire brush if necessary and make sure surface is clean and dry. Seal loose bricks and mortar in chimneys. Dab some roof cement under any loose comp shingles.
Listed below are the top 5 leak causing areas on a roof.
- Chimneys
- Roof mounted AC units
- Roof mounted solar panels
- Dormer vents, heat vents, and plumbing vents
- Valleys and crickets
Inspect the ceilings and walls on the inside of your home. In most cases a spot on the ceiling will tell you you have a leak. In more extreme case the sheetrock will actually cave in. The first sign of a roof leak should be fixed immediately, before extreme damage occurs. Take care of your roof and it will take care of you.
