1. Manage Vegetation

One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make in relation to roof maintenance is failing to keep the vegetation around their homes trimmed back.

Okay! We all love the look of those draping willows and elegant oaks. But – they should be kept as far away from your house as possible. Not only does messy vegetation destroy your curb appeal, it can also do a lot of damage to your home’s roof in stormy conditions.

Trimming back tree branches isn’t necessarily something you will want to do yourself. Hire a professional tree service to trim the trees around your home so you – and your roof – stay safe.

2. Clean Those Gutters

Gutters are integral components of any roof, helping to remove rainwater from the roof as well as the foundation of the rest of the home.

Over time, however, your gutters will fill with leaves, small branches, and other debris. When your gutters are full, they not only look dirty and dingy, but they also become less efficient at doing their job. Clean your gutters at least twice (ideally four) times per year.

Again, if you don’t want to do this yourself, you can always hire the task out – just make sure it gets done!

3. Regularly Inspect Your Roof Flashing and Shingles

The vast majority of homeowners have HVAC vents and chimneys coming out of their roofs. Most of these have metal flashing installed around them to limit leaks. Though this is an effective solution, it’s not foolproof – over time, the flashing can rust and start to malfunction.

Inspect your flashing on a regular basis, but especially after a major weather event or storm. It’s common for flashing to be damaged, and when it is, it can cause leaks and mold issues and will need to be replaced. In fact, most leaks in a home have to do with the flashing.

You’ll find flashings around the chimneys, dormers, skylights, and plumbing vent pipes. Any other vent that protrudes from the roof to remove air from the home can have flashing around it, too.  

Most roofs in the United States are constructed with asphalt shingles since these are easy to install and also affordable.

The shingles on your roof take a heavy beating since they’re exposed to direct sunlight for several hours a day. With time, this exposure will cause the shingles to weaken, sometimes drying out and becoming brittle. Modern shingles are a bit more durable than those used in the construction of homes 40 or 50 years ago. But still suffer a fair amount of wear and tear.

If you want to maintain your roof, it’s a good idea to inspect your shingles at least once a year. Especially after a storm if you notice broken pieces lying on your lawn or missing from the roof.

4. Don’t Neglect the Attic

Most homeowners spend very little time in their attics. However, making it a point to visit your attic at least once a month or so can be an incredibly helpful strategy in your roof maintenance plan. That’s because visiting your attic will afford you the opportunity to detect leaks and other problems with your roof (without actually having to clamber up on the roof itself).

5. Understand Your Roofing Material

The best thing you can do to maintain your roof is to make sure you understand exactly what it’s made of. Read books, watch videos, or at least consult the manufacturer’s installation instructions for your specific roofing material and style so you know exactly what kind of maintenance is needed.

Stay On Top of Things & Maintain Your Roof

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, and it’s important to keep it in good shape. Whether you’re looking to repair a few leaks after a storm or you need to replace your roof entirely, sometimes, the job can be too much to handle for just one person or family.

Whether you need a team of licensed roofers or specialized insurance restoration experts, the crew at Ashton McGee Restoration Group is here to help. We’re a Minnesota-based company that prides itself on honesty, innovation, and integrity.

Need to hand over your roof project to someone else? Don’t worry – “we got this, y’all.”