Roof Maintenance Tips
It’s important to take care of the most important investment you own and one of the crucial pieces of your home is the roof. An unexpected roof replacement can cost a pretty penny, and if you’re not ready for it, it will catch you off guard!
There are many things to consider when inspecting your home for potential issues. Don’t forget, safety first! If you are uncomfortable with performing an inspection on your home, there are professionals like us, Mark’s Custom Exteriors, who will perform a thorough evaluation of your roofs condition at no charge.
Here are a few tips to help you prevent that unexpected expense:
Annual inspections
Perform an annual inspection of your roof. Depending on the size of your roof and the pitch, you may be able to just do a quick walk around to identify any areas where you might see raised, curling or missing shingles, exposed nails or heavy debris on the roof. If getting on the roof is a harder task than you want to tackle, taking a quick peak in the attic can also give you an idea if you already have any active leaks. If all else fails, ask a professional. Mark’s Custom Exteriors offers thorough roof inspections of the roof surface as well as attic inspections.
Improve curb appeal and keep the value of your home
We all know the value of curb appeal especially if you are planning on selling your home in the near future. Make your home stand out by maintaining your roof. Ugly moss and algae stains not only look bad, but can cause a lot of damage to your shingles.
Your insurance can cancel you
If you have excessive moss buildup on your roof, your insurance company may cancel your policy. Moss doesn’t take long here in the Northwest to cause damage to your shingles, so be sure to catch the problem before it starts! Mark’s Custom Exteriors provides moss removal services for composition/asphalt shingle roofs. Find out more about this service here.
Check the chimney for cracks
More often than not, leaks around the chimney are mistaken as roof leaks. Over the winter, if water gets into the chimney, it will freeze, expand, and break the mortar apart allowing for water to enter. Inspect your chimney for cracks and reseal any areas that may allow water to get in.
Inspect the gutters
Look for loose or detached areas and remove any build up of debris. Debris build up in your gutters will allow for standing water and that water has to go somewhere! During the winter months the water could freeze and expand causing ice dams. Ensure the downspouts are clear and drain away from the foundation preventing water from entering into the basement or crawl space. This is also another area where your roof can indicate that it’s reaching the end of it’s life. If you find granules in your gutters, it could indicate your shingles are no longer protected and may need replacing.
Remember, safety first! If you are uncomfortable with getting up on the roof, don’t hesitate to call Mark’s Custom Exteriors! We’ll come out and perform our thorough roof estimate at no cost!
Call us at 503-397-2215 to schedule your free estimate or fill out our online form here.
