Sometimes the house-buying process is so exhausting that you are happy once it’s finally over. However, people like to say that this is when the real work concerning your home starts. Being a homeowner is no small task, especially when you take into account all the obligations that come with owning your property.
First thing’s first
After you purchase a home, there are many areas you have to become an expert in so that you can deal with any issues efficiently. For instance, you have to stay on top of your finances,, bills, and insurance policies. Moreover, you also have to know when a problem requires professional help and when you can deal with it on your own. This applies to every area of your home, from plumbing to roof maintenance. To help you out with the latter, we created this guide to offer some useful advice when it comes to keeping your roof in top shape. Take note.
Perform regular visual inspections
To prevent any significant damage, try to inspect your roof periodically. Depending on the roofing material , it’s best to do it at least twice a year, in spring and fall, or after a big storm. There is no need to go on the roof – you can take a pair of binoculars and inspect it from the ground. Look for cracked or missing shingles, damaged flashing and debris or moss on the roof. In case you notice something, you can then think about taking further action.
Check your attic
In addition to the outside, you should also check the roof from the inside. Inspect the attic to see whether there are any unpleasant smells, mold, or mildew. Moreover, if you see any visible signs of light, there might be a hole in the roof. Of course, if you notice any leaks or severe water damage, you must take action as soon as possible. You can do this task every month or so, to stay on the safe side.
Trim branches
You might have trees around your home to keep it cool; however, you should be aware of the danger they pose to the roof. Branches that hang over your roof can cause all sorts of damage to your home, from scraping the surface of the roof to falling on it during storms, in addition to making it accessible to animals. To prevent these incidents, make sure you regularly trim the branches.
Clean the roof
Keeping the surface of the roof clean is also vital, so regularly check if there is any debris after a storm and get rid of it. Furthermore, moss and algae are common in some areas, so if you notice them growing on your roof, look for the best way to remove them. They can allow water to pool as well as shorten the roof’s lifespan. Just keep in mind that pressure-washing is not something you want to expose your roof to as it can damage it substantially.
Repair leaks immediately
If you do happen to notice some leaks, it’s crucial to deal with them as soon as possible. In case you are feeling ambitious, you can manage this issue yourself. The first thing you should do is look for some cherry pickers for hire as that is the best way to stay safe and reach hard-to-access areas of the roof. Then, inspect the roof to find the problem. It might be a missing shingle, cracked flashing, or even water and ice buildup. Remember: finding the cause of the leak might be difficult for an amateur, so make sure you are up to the task. Finally, decide on the best way to fix the issue – it might be replacing a shingle or patching up the flashing.
Don’t neglect the gutters
Gutters and downspouts are often forgotten but doing that can affect your roof as well as the house’s foundation. So, to ensure they work properly, you should clean them a few times a year to prevent any overflowing incidents. Remove all leaves and other debris by getting some ladders and quality work gloves and keep them debris-free by installing gutter guards.
Call in the pros
While you can take care of the maintenance mentioned above tasks on your own, you should also know when it’s time to call in the experts. If you’re afraid of heights, are not very handy or don’t have enough time, it’s good to know that there are professionals out there who can help. Furthermore, hiring them will guarantee a job well done, and it will be done quickly without incidents. Luckily, there are companies for everything from pruning trees to replacing shingles, so don’t hesitate to contact them.
Conclusion
If you recently bought a house, keep in mind that there are many aspects to home ownership you cannot disregard. Taking proper care of your roof is just one of them but do not neglect it as the roof is a crucial part of your home.