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Roof Maintenance And Roofing Care Tips From ImproveNet.
Your guide to maintaining and caring for your roof.
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Once you have the roof that you want it is important to maintain your investment. No matter what
type of roof you have, the key to the longevity relies on maintenance and care. It is recommended
that maintenance should be done at least semi-annually if not seasonally. An inspector should walk
your roof slowly and inspect it thoroughly, as well as get rid of all leaves, branches, twigs and
any other debris. An electric or gas blower does this job nicely. A roofing
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expert will look for
things such as broken or missing shingles, shakes or tiles, and make the necessary repairs.
Chimneys, roof-mounted AC units, roof-mounted solar panels, dormer vents, heat vents, plumbing
vents, and valleys and crickets, are the main areas where you will find leaking. Your roof will
receive more abuse from the elements than any other part of the building. Preventative maintenance
will save you money on your roof by providing a longer life. If you are ready to schedule roof
maintenance please click the FIND A CONTRACTOR link below, and ImproveNet will match you with an
experienced roofing expert that is in your area.
Listed below are some more general roofing tips:
- Never paint shingles. Paint will shorten the life of your shingles and is sure to crack and
fade shortly. If your roofing material is starting to look worse than desired, it may be
time to get a new roof.
- A contractor with a license to handle asbestos may be necessary. If your home contains
asbestos use the FIND A CONTRACTOR
link to be matched up with a contractor that is right for your needs.
- A smart way to keep your home cool is by choosing a "cool roof". Choosing a reflective
roofing material color instead of a darker color can drastically cut electricity bills
during the summer months. In fact switching to a reflective color can cut electricity
demand by 20 to 70 percent.
- Power washing a roof is not recommended. Power washing can lead to serious damage to your
roof.
- Algae and moss removal: Although hosing down the roof with diluted bleach or chlorine is
an option, these also kill all the surrounding vegetation, and cause a unpleasant odor.
Installing some algae-resistant roofing shingles are another option but often times roofs
that look bad do not necessarily need to be replaced. The best way to solve the problems
is installing zinc strips on the roof. When rain runs off of the zinc, it cleans the algae
off of the shingles.
• Reasons for Roof Repair
• Repair vs. Re-roof
• Covering/Roofing Materials •
• Roof Slope and Style
• Roof Ventilation
• Roofing Maintenance and Tips •
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