Helpful Tips For Maintaining Your Residential Roof

By Selena Chery


Most shingles are durable and long lasting but they need some care if you want to remain trouble free for a long time. Proper roof maintenance is not hard but can take some time. Here are a few useful roof maintenance tips from your local Chicago roofing company.

Every year you should inspect your roof. It is not good enough to check it out from the ground, as you will miss many things. Climb a ladder and get up on the roof to inspect it. Look for signs of wear and tear, discoloration, and obvious problem spots.

Inspect all the shingles and look to see if any are torn or broken. If so, you must make repairs as soon as possible. If you have no spare shingles you can buy a bundle from your home improvement center and replace all bad shingles. Patching tar should only be used for temporary shingle repair, as it causes water to pond.

While you check out the roof, do not forget to take care of the gutters. Reach in and remove all debris and then flush out all the gutters with your garden hose. While flushing, you have the opportunity to see if any seams are leaking and if all of the downspouts are working properly.

If tree limbs or branches are touching your shingles, they must be trimmed back. If not, they could damage the shingles and this can eventually lead to leaks inside the home. Be careful when trimming branches and if you do not have the right equipment, you should consider contacting a tree service. This is the safest strategy.

A complete inspection includes all vent pipes, vents, chimneys and flashing. If sealant is cracked or hardened, consider resealing. The best way to insure your roof is in good condition involves calling your roof professionals for an inspection. They will check everything out and if you need repairs they are guaranteed.




About the Author: