Why Roof Maintenance is Important for Your Home

You can’t have a comfortable, great-looking house without a stellar roof, and nothing rains on your proverbial parade quite like a leaky or low-quality one. Residential roof maintenance is one of the most important responsibilities for homeowners. After all, proper roof maintenance extends the lifespan of your roof, saves money, and keeps your family safe.

The trouble is, there’s no instruction booklet or handy-dandy tutorial for roof maintenance when you buy a house for the first time. If you’re not sure how to repair or maintain your roof, we can fix that. Read on for a brief roof maintenance checklist and smart tips to keep your roof in good condition for years to come.

1. Check your roof shingles each year

Your roof’s shingles are its first line of defense against rain, snow, hail, and all other inclement weather and debris. Sooner or later, some of those shingles will crack or break off, exposing the layers beneath and leading to the possibility of leaks.

At least once per year, take your ladder and ascend to the rooftop of your Mason City property. Do a visual scan of the shingles and see if there are any breaks or blank spots. If there are, clear away the debris and call a roofing contractor to install replacements ASAP. The sooner those broken shingles are replaced, the better you’ll maintain your roof’s health.

If there’s significant damage across your roof, consider a total shingle swap-out for a more modern, durable defense. Owens Corning’s Duration Designer Roofing Shingles, for example, offer superior protection compared to wood shakes and win out in terms of aesthetics. They’re available in nine different colors and styles to boost curb appeal (a big benefit if you plan on selling in the next several years).

2. Clean the gutters each season

While you’re looking at the shingles, do your roof a favor and scan the gutters, too. From time to time, your home’s gutters can become clogged with ice dams, leaves, twigs, snow, and bird nests.

Clogged gutters eventually become broken gutters, which are bad for your property and your personal safety. If left unchecked, clogged gutters might eventually break off and fall to the ground, causing injuries or severe property damage.

So if you notice any clogs, clear out those gutters with soapy water, gloves, and brushes, or better yet, consider installing gutter guards for your home as a necessary defense to prevent regular clogs. Preventing clogged gutters is an especially important roof maintenance tip in the fall and winter when falling leaves and twigs are liable to build up and freeze in a matter of days. If it gets too out of hand, consider contracting a professional roofing company to address the problem.

3. Don’t let snow pile up on your rooftop

Speaking of freezing, don't let too much snow pile up on your rooftop. If it's a particularly cold winter and you've just had a severe storm, it might be worthwhile to scrape off excess snow from your roof. Mason City gets nearly 38 inches of snow per year, and all that buildup can weigh down your roof, causing buckling, leaks, and worse (especially if you have an older roof).

Want to tackle this chore safely? Use a rake to scrape off excess snow. Don’t spray it off with water – in the winter, that water might just freeze over your roof and in between the shingles, leading to further damage. Freezing water can open cracks in your roof and lead to further roof leaks and structural damage. If it gets bad enough, you might have to replace your roof entirely.

4. Clear away moss and mold from your roof

Don’t forget to look for moss, mold, algae, and other biomatter that can spread from rooftop to rooftop. Moss and mold can be very detrimental to asphalt roofing in the spring and summer. When you scan your shingles, you might notice some of them curling: a surefire sign of moss growth and a major risk factor for shingle loss the next time a storm rolls into town. But also, finding and fixing leaks in your roof is vital in preventing mold and moss growth.

Once you’ve spotted the culprits, you can easily clean away the moss and mold by spraying it down with liquid bleach and water. Let the mixture sit for about half an hour, then use a power washer or hose to wash the bleach away. Just remember to keep your flowers or garden beneath your home in mind – they don’t need to drink bleach-infused water!

5. Trim the trees

The trees surrounding your Mason City property can be major hazards to your roof and windows if you let their branches grow too large. Trees can be a risk to any type of home, whether they have shingle, asphalt, or metal roofs. Trim any super-long tree branches from time to time, especially if they loom over your rooftop. If your property’s trees are too tall for safe trimming, hire an arborist to tackle the work for you. As an extra benefit of doing this, your trees might grow healthier when their sick or dying branches are removed by a skilled specialist.

6. Look for attic and ceiling leaks

Good roofing maintenance common sense also calls for some interior patrols. Once a season or so, look for water and air leaks in your home's ceiling, especially in the attic. Of course, if you see water leaking anywhere indoors, like your living room, it’s high time to call a roof repair specialist! Water can quickly start damaging your roof if it seeps in through the shingles.

But your attic is a particularly prime spot for signs of damage, like mold growth, puddles, water stains, and more. If you only use your attic for storage, poke your head up there from time to time just to make sure the apex of your roof isn’t wearing down from constant exposure to the elements. It’s imperative to prevent water from seeping in right away to preserve your home’s integrity. Water stains aren’t just ugly, they’re actively bad for your roof!

7. Order a roof inspection once or twice per year

It's one thing to take a look at your roof as a layperson. It's quite another to have a licensed inspector do a comprehensive checkup on the health of your roof.

According to the National Roofing Contractor’s Association, it’s a good idea to order a professional roof inspection twice per year: once in the spring and once in the fall. By ordering an inspection twice per year, you’ll catch any early problems before they develop into serious breaks or leaks. There’s no better way to save money and bring your family peace of mind.

Plus, when a roof contractor comes to your Mason City house, you can ask them about new roof materials and upgrades. Depending on the type of roof you have, they might recommend upgrading your roofing material to a more durable shingle, for example.

Or they might recommend a more comprehensive roof upgrade. The Total Protection Roofing System from Window World of Mason City location might be just what you need, as it can protect your roof against severe inclement weather and is available with a variety of shingle options and colors. Get in touch with one of our associates today to learn more about this durable, high-value roof upgrade!