Your roof is there to protect you, rain or shine. But who gets to protect and care for it in return? Roof maintenance might be viewed as a hassle for some, but let us tell you that it is a worthy investment to make, especially in cities like New York.
Aside from the scorching sunlight and precipitation, roofs in New York experience the weight of snow and the unimaginable winter cold. Being exposed to changing elements like these, roofs are, unfortunately, not bound to last forever. However, there are of course ways to lengthen its lifespan from a mere 10 years to up to 50 years.
Here are 6 maintenance tips that you can follow for a long-lasting roof.
1. Do a visual inspection
The first and most basic step is to do a thorough check-up and inspection of your roofing. This will take only a few minutes and with minimal effort. Just simply look up and see if you can spot anything amiss or out of place. If you do not know what exactly you should look for, you can refer to this basic checklist:
- Loose shingles
- Missing shingles
- Holes and other openings
- Damaged vents
- Missing roof flashing
- Broken gutters
- Debris, granules, and other objects that can cause clogging
2. Clean the gutters
The gutters are your roof’s water discharge system where collected rainwater flows down for proper drainage. That is why it is important to clear your roof gutters to prevent any sort of clogging, which is usually caused by a pile of dry leaves, debris, hardened dirt, and random trash that are accidentally carried by the wind. Clogged gutters may cause unnatural rainwater flow during heavy rains and may even result in damages like roof rot, which can worsen over time so it is better to keep an eye out and act in advance.
The best time to clean your gutters is during spring and fall when your gutters are more prone to clogging from dirt and dried leaves. If this task is a little challenging for you, there is no harm in calling for assistance like this roofing company in the Bronx.
3. Get rid of dried leaves
Now that we are in the topic of clogging, your roof gutters are not the only part of your roof that can be harmed by the presence of a pile of dried leaves and bits of branches. In fact, your whole roof can accumulate an unhealthy pile if left unchecked.
Besides causing clogging, a bunch of seemingly harmless leaves can lead to the accumulation of moisture, which then would lead to decomposition or rot that can cause your roof’s material to deteriorate. The trapped humidity and moisture can also become a breeding ground for weeds and other organisms like mushrooms, insects, and other pests.
Get rid of those dried leaves on your own or get the help of a roofing contractor.
4. Cut off hovering tree branches
If you find it a hassle to remove dried leaves off your roof constantly, then it would be best to address the root of the problem directly. Trees surrounding your house or an establishment might have some of its branches spread out over your roofs, making it the perfect catch basin for its old and dried leaves.
It would not be bad to trim and cut off the parts that are overhanging your roof. In addition to that, you can also prevent fatal property damage from falling branches during thunderstorms and windy days, which can punch a hole through your roof.
Do be careful when trimming your tree branches! If you need to call a pro, do not hesitate to contact a New York roofer to do the job for you. This is infinitely better than trying to do the job itself and causing more damage to yourself and your roof instead.
5. Watch out and get rid of ice dams
Winter snow may be pretty to look at on houses, but leaving them on your rooftops for long will only cause bigger problems in the future. Piles of snow can cause leaks and damage, just like how dried leaves can cause your roof to deteriorate faster. Be sure to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof by checking your insulation and raking the snow that is piled on your rooftops. Improper insulation can also cause ice dams to form so you should also check if your insulation is still working properly.
6. Check your ceiling
After inspecting your roof, you would also want to check your ceiling from inside the house. There might be some damages that you failed to see from outside, but they will certainly reflect or at least leave an imprint on your ceiling.
For instance, molds can form in areas that have problems with leakage and insulation. There might also be tiny holes that you can spot after seeing sunlight already filtering in through them. During heavy rainstorms, small leaks and drops of water can seep through your ceiling boards and you should take that as a sign that something is amiss.
If you are able to gather these observations, a thorough check-up might be required. Lucky for you, this is a job for a roofing company in NY. Just do your role as the observer and let the pros handle the rest.
Conclusion
The moment you happen to discover that something is indeed wrong with your roof, may it be curling shingles or insulation, do not dally longer and immediately do repairs before the situation worsens. After all, if you continue to neglect your roof’s damages and let it be for a long time, it would surely cost you more when it is finally time to fix ’em up at the brink of desperation and urgency. This is especially true if the end result of your negligence is a complete makeover or a new roof.
After identifying what needs to be done, the next step is to address the problem! Just follow this simple guide to maintaining your roof and you won’t have a problem in the future. But in case you do, don’t hesitate to seek the help of Skyward Roofing in the Bronx.
