When you consider the long to-do list that arises after purchasing a home, maintaining a roof can feel overwhelming. Your roof may be the last thing on your mind. To protect your home in the long run, however, it’s important to be aware of roof maintenance tips for new homeowners. Keep reading to learn how routine inspections, frequent gutter cleanings, and ice dam prevention measures can increase your roof’s longevity.
Roof Maintenance Tips for New Homeowners
Schedule Annual Leak Checks
Conducting annual leak checks can save homeowners thousands of dollars over a length of time. If your roof is only leaking inside your attic, it may take some time for you to notice, and during that interlude, a small amount of damage may escalate into a major problem. Regular inspections should help you catch issues early. Then, your roofer can conduct spot repairs, which are less costly than major restorations or replacements and may prolong the life of your roof.
Inspect Your Roof After Storms
Storms that include extreme weather, such as wind, rain, thunder, or hail, can also cause many issues if they’re not addressed right away. We recommend scheduling an inspection immediately after your home experiences hail damage. Without proper inspection and replacement, a damaged roof could end up requiring a lot more work down the road.
Clean Your Gutters
As a homeowner, you’ll need to pencil in time to clean your gutters at least twice a year. When rain can’t properly drain off your roof, it can cause issues like mold, mildew, and wood rot to arise. If you notice that your gutters clog quickly after routine cleanings, consider trimming back overhanging branches or installing gutter guards. Keep in mind that overhanging branches can also cause costly damage if they fall on your roof.
Prevent Ice Dams
Although icicles on your roof may look picturesque, they could be a sign that ice dams are forming. Ice dams occur when water melts at the top of your roof and then freezes near the bottom of your roof. This causes pools of water to collect, which leads to moisture issues. To prevent ice dams, stop heat loss in your home by adding insulation or increasing ventilation in your attic.
Carefully DIY or Call a Pro
If you feel comfortable with heights and climbing on ladders, you can try cleaning your gutters out and inspecting your roof yourself. Taking the time to check your own roof can help you become familiar with what looks normal and what doesn’t. This may help you catch something that needs to be fixed before it becomes a bigger problem. However, we only recommend that those homeowners who are steady on their feet and wearing proper footwear (shoes with a gripping tread) inspect their own roofs. If you’re not comfortable climbing on top of your own roof or you’re busy with other things, don’t worry. Simply call Taylor-Made Roofing twice a year to schedule roof inspections.
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Taking care of your roof isn’t always easy. We hope these roof maintenance tips for new homeowners will help you remember the responsibility your roof requires. Whether a storm comes your way or a possible leak, the most important thing is the safety and longevity of your home.
If you live in southwest Missouri, contact Taylor-Made Roofing for help with your roofing needs. Our experts can help you explore new roofing options, maintain an older roof, perform emergency repairs, complete tear-offs, and recover, and perform remodeling services. With over 20 years of experience in residential and commercial roofing, Taylor-Made Roofing is a company that you can trust with all of your roofing needs. Our family-owned business offers quality services, a reassuring warranty, and free estimates. For more information regarding roofing options, please give us a call at 417-326-8778 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!