As an adult, you do regular upkeep, cleaning, and maintenance on most of your belongings. You get frequent oil changes in your vehicle, clean up spills inside your home, and wash your clothes after use. But what about your roof?

Did you know your roof can also benefit from regular maintenance and preventative care? So, it’s not a bad idea to have a preventative maintenance plan to avoid roofing problems or roof replacement in the future.

Why Preventative Maintenance is So Important

Preventative maintenance is vital because it saves you time, money, and a headache later on. By performing periodic maintenance on your roof, you can ensure it continues functioning properly to protect you and your family from the outside elements. Plus, it extends the life of the roof. 

Consistent, even seemingly minor, upkeep on your rooftop can prevent the need for more extensive repairs or replacements later on. Maintenance is a simple and often relatively cheap way to make your home more secure. 

Failing to maintain your roof can void your warranty, preventing you from insurance reparations when repairs or replacements are necessary.      

Overall, keeping up with preventative roofing maintenance can help you avoid expensive problems and save you significant money. 

Types of Preventative Roof Maintenance

So, how do you do it? Preventative roof maintenance is anything you do to keep your roof from getting damaged.

This type of maintenance includes upkeep and fixing minor damage right away that has the potential to become problematic.  

There are two main types of roof maintenance:

• Cleaning the roof 
• Inspections 

Both are important.

Cleaning Your Roof 

Keep your roof as free from dirt and debris as possible. Organic matter can clog gutters or retain water, leaving you susceptible to a leak. Leaks and water damage can lead to way more damage outside and inside the home. 

Moss, mold, and algae can also build up and grow on your roof, affecting how your roof retains water. It can grow into your roof’s underlayment and eat away at it if left unchecked.

It is best to clean your roof twice a year or seasonally. The fall and the spring are great times to do it.

Clear Your Gutters

Again, ensuring your gutters are clean, and debris-free is important to avoid potential water blockage and damage. 

Keep Your Property Clear 

Trim back tree branches and anything else that may fall onto your roof. Tree limbs, leaves, and other debris can clog gutters but can also fall and damage your roof. 

Safely Remove Moss

You might want to call a professional for this one, but you can remove moss with a diluted bleach solution. You can also treat your roof to prevent moss growth as much as possible.

Inspections

Roofing inspections are an essential part of upkeep and maintenance as well. How will you know something needs fixing if you never see it?

Yes, you can inspect your roof by climbing a ladder and visually inspecting it, but a professional will know exactly what to look for and may find things the layman may miss. 

Inspect your roof, or even better yet, have a professional inspect it at least once a year to catch small issues and take care of them before they become big problems. 

What Roof Inspectors are Looking For

Each roof inspector will have a unique checklist of their own, but these are the biggest culprits and areas every inspector will be looking at.

Flashings

Flashings and all other roof features with a seal, like skylights and chimneys, are focus areas as leaks and other issues are more likely. If it gets damaged or worn, water will enter the house or the infrastructure.  

Damaged or Missing Shingles or Tiles

Damage or missing shingles and tiles occasionally happen, even with great upkeep. Rough weather, storms, and even old age cause damage to the roof or pieces to go missing. 

Water continues to be a problem because it can enter your dwelling if shingles are damaged or missing. 

Rot and Mold

Rot and mold can indicate widespread damage and should be addressed quickly. Anything that is rotting or covered in the mold will need replacement. It can be a small and simple repair if you can catch it early. If you notice it late, you might face severe structural damage.

When to DIY, and When to Call a Professional

There are some things you can do yourself when it comes to roof maintenance and others that it is best you turn over to a professional. 

You can perform some things independently, like gutter cleaning and basic maintenance. Of course, that is up to how comfortable you are doing those tasks. 

If you need any roof repairs, inspections, or deep cleaning, call a professional to help you. 

Legacy Repair Has You Covered

Legacy Repair is a whole company dedicated to roof maintenance and repairs and making your roof last longer at the residential and commercial levels. We’ve built our team with trusted and experienced roofers ready and trained in inspection, cleaning, repair, and recoating services. 

We can take care of all your roof’s preventative maintenance, whatever they may be. We do all that and commercial roof sealing too. 

You will have to do maintenance, cleaning, and repairs to your roof no matter what, but we can lighten your load and do it for you. Our goal is to provide top-notch service and quality work, make it easier on you, and extend the longevity of your roof as long as possible.