Preventative maintenance for residential roofs is cheaper than repairing or replacing, right? It sure is! Here are a few basic but important things you can do to prevent damage to your roof, saving you money in both the short and long term.
Trim your trees.
We’re not talking about decorating for the holidays, of course. We mean removing dead branches and cutting back live ones that can reach your roof. It’s safer and less expensive to prune tree branches than to repair a roof damaged by broken limbs. Plus, it avoids unnecessary foot traffic on your roof that increases wear and tear, and would risk damage to shingles (and to you!).
Clean your gutters.
Keeping your gutters clean and clear is not just a matter of aesthetics. Clogged gutters allow water to back up, creeping under shingles in warm weather and creating ice dams in cold weather, damaging the wood beneath. Once your roof is compromised, the interior of your house is at risk.
Moisture-proof your attic.
Water may be essential for plants and animals to thrive, but moisture in your attic and walls spells danger for the life of your roof. It causes wood rot, leading to expensive repairs. Moisture-proofing your attic is a two-pronged task: ensuring proper insulation and proper venting.
Insulation.
Without proper insulation, heat escapes through your roof, melting the bottom layer of Michigan’s large snowfalls. When the temperature drops at night, the melted layer can refreeze, creeping up under shingles (yes, ice defies gravity!). The moisture then destroys the wood underlayment. This allows water to leak into your home, behind the drywall, where you won’t notice its effects until it requires truly expensive repairs. Insulation can be added without replacing your roof.
Venting.
Exhaust fans from bathrooms and the kitchen should lead their moisture-laden air directly outside, not into the attic. External roof intake and exhaust vents must be properly placed and installed to be effective. Like insulation, vents can be added or repaired without replacing the roof.
Take the time for these damage-preventing steps and you can expect your roof to last. Ignore them, and you risk costly, inconvenient repairs. Contact us for assistance!