Residential Roof Maintenance Is Incredibly Important! Here’s Why:

Having a new roof installed is so exciting. Not only do you get to enjoy the way your home looks with its new roof, but you also get reassurance that this roof will protect your home for years to come. At this stage, homeowners often assume their new roof won’t need any care for decades — unless a big storm or natural disaster rolls in. But this is not exactly the case. New roofs do benefit from regular maintenance.
Properly maintaining your roof will reduce the risk of damage and premature deterioration. With maintenance, your roof can last even longer, which is definitely an advantage when you consider the cost of roof replacement. So, how do you maintain your new roof? Take a look.

Make Sure Gutters Are Properly Installed

Gutters protect your roof. They make sure water drains from the roof properly, which protects the roof against moisture damage, moss growth, and rot. In order to do their job, gutters need to be installed properly. They should be sloped towards the downspouts so water flows continually. They also need to be positioned just under the edge of the roof so they catch the water rather than letting it flow down the side of the home.
If you see water pouring out over the side of your gutters or running down the side of your home, contact a gutter company. They can look over your gutters and make the changes necessary to protect your roof from water.

Keep the Gutters Clear

If your gutters are clogged with leaves and debris, they won’t drain properly, which could lead to water-related roof damage. Most homeowners should clean their gutters twice a year — in the spring and fall. If you have trees overhanging your gutters, you may need to clean them more often.
Installing gutter guards also helps. These keep most leaves out of the gutters, reducing the risk of blockages.

Maintain Adequate Attic Insulation

Attic insulation protects your roof. It keeps heat from escaping through your roof during this winter. This, in turn, helps prevent snow from melting, trickling down, re-freezing, and forming ice dams. Ice dams can work their way under shingles and cause them to peel. Energy Star recommends 10 – 14 inches of attic insulation. If you have less than this, adding an additional layer of insulation is an excellent way to maintain your roof.

Keep Fascia and Soffits in Good Shape

The fascia is the material on the face of your home, just beneath the edge of the roof. The soffit is the underside of that area. If the materials that form your fascia and soffit start breaking down, this could compromise the integrity of your roof. Water could seep in through the damaged fascia and soffit, causing the roof deck to begin rotting and deteriorating.
It’s not wise to climb up and examine your soffits and fascia closely without the appropriate safety gear. Luckily, you can usually tell whether these structures are damaged from the ground. If you see any spots, cracks, or holes in the fascia or soffits, have a roofer take a closer look.

Schedule Regular, Professional Maintenance Appointments
Every so often, schedule a professional maintenance appointment with a roofing professional. They have the safety equipment and training needed to walk on the roof and look over sections you can’t see from the ground.
During these maintenance appointments, a roofing contractor can remove any caked-on leaves that may be holding moisture against the roof material. They can replace any popped nails, replace any cracked or damaged shingles, and re-attach any flashing that has been loosened in a storm. Noting and correcting these minor problems early on will prevent more extensive roofing damage in the future.

Address Small Problems Immediately

Say you notice a minor issue with your roof. Perhaps there are some granules in your gutters, which means your shingles are losing their texture. Or maybe there’s a piece of flashing you see flapping in the breeze sometimes.
Don’t ignore these minor issues, even if they are not currently leading to leaks. Contact a roofing company for repairs. Roofing companies can fix these small issues quickly and affordably. If you put the repairs off, you’ll likely be facing more extensive, more expensive repairs a few years down the line.
Today’s new roofing materials are incredibly durable and long-lived. However, they do still benefit from regular care and maintenance. Make sure your gutters are correctly installed and clear. Check your attic insulation, and keep an eye out for signs of minor roof damage. With these steps, your roof will stay in great shape for years to come.
Are you looking for a roofer in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee? Contact Quantum Roofing. Our experienced roofers offer comprehensive roof repair, replacement, and maintenance services for every homeowner.

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