The roof is a barrier between your home and the elements. It protects the interior and structure from apparent damage like rain or high winds but also less obvious dangers like excess moisture that can lead to mold.
Perform routine roof maintenance to prevent problems from getting out of control. Start in the attic and check for stains, musty odors, and matted insulation.
Debris removal is one of the most important aspects of roof maintenance. It helps to keep the home safe and prevents moss, mildew, and algae from growing on the surface of the roof. It also keeps the shingles free of dirt, debris, and other contaminants that can damage them over time. In addition, a build-up of leaves and other debris can clog gutters and push water into areas that it shouldn’t be. This can cause problems such as leaks and foundation erosion, which aren’t covered by homeowners insurance policies.
While gutters can help with some debris, they can’t catch all of it, especially after heavy storms. It’s important to sweep, blow, or wash your roof at least twice a year to remove debris from the surface of the roof. This helps to minimize the risk of storm damage and it can also help to prevent the growth of moss, lichen, or algae.
Many homeowners and business owners use debris removal services to clean up after a disaster strikes. While this isn’t an option for everyone, it is a good idea for those who can afford to pay for these services and have adequate insurance coverage.
Fortunately, most property policies include debris removal insurance coverage. It is typically an automatic extension or add-on that allows for a certain amount of coverage to be provided for the costs to clean up, haul away, remove, or dispose of debris that results from a covered peril.
The amount of coverage that is automatically included varies among insurers, but it is usually somewhere around 25% of the total limit paid for the direct physical loss. This means that if you have a limited physical loss policy, then the debris removal coverage will be used up before you even have enough insurance to replace or repair your building.
It is a good idea to talk with your insurance agent about the exact limits of your debris removal coverage and discuss how it works in conjunction with other coverage that you may have, such as the building/contents limit or your personal umbrella policy. In some cases, the agent can help you to increase the coverage by adding an endorsement that will provide higher limits of coverage.
Trim Tree Branches
Tree limbs that overhang the roof can cause serious damage during stormy weather, and they are often overlooked during regular home maintenance. Even when there are no heavy storms, these limbs can scrape or break the shingles in this area of the roof, which will cause them to deteriorate over time and allow moisture to get into the home. Regular trimming of these limbs will help keep them away from the roof and prevent them from damaging the shingles.
If left unattended, these limbs can also block the gutters, which will lead to water backing up onto the roof and into the home, causing mold and mildew. This is a good reason to trim the trees in your yard regularly, and it is best to call a professional rather than try this as a DIY project. This type of tree trimming requires specialized knowledge and equipment to do properly, and one wrong cut can result in a costly repair bill.
In addition, a properly trimmed tree will also reduce the risk of animals getting on your roof. If the trees are too close to your home, they can provide a highway for squirrels and other critters to reach your roof and access the shingles, causing damage. Regular tree trimming will eliminate this problem, preventing the animals from climbing up to your roof and reducing the chances of them causing damage when they do.
The first thing you need to do when trimming a tree that overhangs your roof is to locate the branch collar. This is the area where the limb comes out of the trunk of the tree, and you can usually see it by looking for a ridge or circle in the bark. Before you start cutting, you should always make a small incision to separate the limb from the collar. Then, you can start to remove the limb from the tree. You should make your cuts as cleanly as possible to avoid damaging the shingles and the roots of the tree. It is also a good idea to cut the limbs when they are young and still flexible, which will help them grow back more quickly and stay healthy.
Inspect and Replace Flashing
The roof is your home’s barrier that protects you from obvious dangers like weather events and falling tree branches, as well as less-obvious threats such as excess moisture that could lead to mold. Regular roof maintenance is important to keep your home healthy and safe. However, it’s not just about making sure your roof is in good condition and doing its job — you also need to make sure that the flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and other roof penetrations is properly sealed. This is often an overlooked area of your roof that can cause serious problems if it isn’t adequately maintained.
Flashing is typically a metal material that ties together different elements of your roof, eliminating a seam where water could leak or rot the surrounding materials. It’s commonly found around chimneys, vents, skylights, or other roof penetrations, and it can also be used to make a seal around the base of your roof where it meets other structures such as walls or a deck. Flashing can become damaged due to age, rust, or improper installation, which makes it an important part of your roof to inspect and repair regularly.
Leaking roof flashing is one of the most common issues homeowners experience, and it’s often a sign that other parts of your roof are in need of repair as well. Many roof repair companies offer routine inspections to identify potential flashing issues and address them before they have a chance to cause more significant damage.
If you notice water stains on the ceilings or walls inside your home, that’s a sure sign that your flashing needs to be repaired or replaced. Start by gathering the necessary tools for the repair, including roofing cement, a caulk gun, and replacement flashing. Once you’ve gathered your materials, you’ll need to remove any shingles that are over or around the damaged flashing. Carefully pry up the shingles and gently remove any underlying flashing that’s corroded, cracked, or missing.
Once the damaged flashing is removed, clean and prepare the area for the new flashing. Apply the roofing cement generously, ensuring that all edges are securely sealed to prevent water from seeping into your home. Once the new flashing is in place, secure it with roofing nails and cover the nail holes with roofing sealant.
Clean the Gutters
The gutters on your roof channel rainwater away from the shingles and into downspouts that carry the water to the ground. If your gutters become filled with debris, such as leaves and twigs, it prevents the downspouts from functioning properly. This allows water to back up under the shingles, which can cause them to crack and peel. Clogged gutters also provide an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests.
Cleaning the gutters isn’t a fun task, but it is necessary to keep them working properly. It is also an important opportunity to inspect the entire roof for damage. During this time, you should look for signs of moss, mildew and mold as well as any cracked caulking and missing shingles.
If you notice any of these issues, you can take steps to correct them now. To clean the gutters, start by removing all of the twigs and leaves that have accumulated in them. This can be done by hand or with a gutter scoop. If you’re doing it by hand, make sure to use a ladder that’s sturdy and in good condition, and be careful not to lean against the sides of the house or other structures.
It’s also a good idea to wear work gloves during this process to protect yourself from twigs and other debris. Then, find a spot to position your ladder and have a helper stand on the ground to steady it as you climb. Work on a sunny day when the temperature is moderate. You’ll have a better view and be able to work faster.
Once the gutters are cleaned, you’ll want to check for downspout blockages. If they’re clogged, you can clear them by inserting a hose into the downspout and spraying it down. If you can’t remove the clog, you can try using a plumber’s snake or drain auger.
The best way to prevent clogged gutters is by installing a gutter system that keeps debris out while still allowing rainwater to flow through. You can find several types of these systems online and in hardware stores, including micro-mesh gutter guards that allow water through while blocking leaves and twigs.