Roof damage is a problem thousands of homeowners face every year. Some roof damage is inevitable, as even the most durable materials are eventually going to be worn down by mother nature. However, there are still some steps you can take to ensure that your roof lasts as long as possible, saving you both money and hard work down the road. Here are a few basic steps any homeowner can take to preventing unnecessary roof damage.
Inspect Your Roof Regularly
The most minor issues can lead to big problems for even the strongest roofing materials, so it’s important to catch these issues before they escalate. Small amounts of damage such as torn or missing tiles and shingles on pitched roofs or eroded gravel on flat roofs are very common and easy to miss, making regular inspection a vital step in maintaining the health of your roof. When it comes to inspecting your roof, safety is important. Instead of using a ladder to climb steep slopes, stay on ground level and use a pair of binoculars to check for damage, or you can even hire professionals from Divine Home Remodeling to do the inspecting for you at a low cost.
Make Sure Your Trees Stay Trimmed
One of the biggest threats to your roof is falling branches from nearby trees, so keeping the branches away from your home can save you money in the future. Trimming your trees prevents branches from falling breaking or even sweeping away your shingles, and keeping smaller debris like twigs and leaves off your roof can prevent water from being trapped and causing damage. The amount of trouble you can save by taking these precautions makes this one of the most important steps in stopping roof damage before it occurs. An added bonus of keeping your trees trimmed is that it prevents animals from getting into your chimneys or wall vents.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
If your home has an attic, it’s important to make sure it has adequate ventilation. During the warm months, heat and humidity build up can cause mold and mildew, sagging plywood, and even rot, but making sure the area stays ventilated can prevent these issues. Ventilation options include individual attic vents or ridge vents that run along the entire length of a roof peak. If you’re unsure of what your home needs, Divine Home Remodeling can help you.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
I know this is a messy job and nobody likes to do it, but clean gutters are essential in making sure your home properly dispels water. Clogged gutters cause water buildup that can damage your roof as well as the framing your gutters attach to, causing mold, rot, and allowing water to leak into your home.
Contact Divine Today
Along with following all of these steps, contacting our experts at Divine Home Remodeling can help you identify any areas of your roof that may be at risk for damage, along with provide tips for how to prevent it. If you're located in California and need help with roof maintenance, call Divine today.