Maintenance is an important aspect in home ownership. From your homes roof to the homes foundation it is important that your home is kept up on. Often time’s homeowners overlook the maintenance that needs to be done on their roofs. There are several steps to take in order to prevent the decay of your asphalt shingle roof. Below you will find several tips on keeping your homes roof in tip top shape.
One of the first things that you will want to do when maintain your roof is to clear any and all debris. Anything that has built up behind heating and cooling units, pipes or other parts protruding from the roof needs to be removed to prevent moisture build up and the growth of moss. Debris soaks up water and water saturation is the leading cause of damage in asphalt shingling. This process should be done in the spring and fall seasons.
Often times a shingle roof will quickly manifest moss and algae growth. This can happen even when homeowners are closely monitoring the condition of their roofs. If you notice this has occurred it is easily remedied by applying zinc or lead control strips at the peak. After this is done check all flashing for holes and for algae and moss growth. This should carefully be removed. If you notice any shingle tabs that have loosened secure them by adding roofing cement. Any shingle that is broken or damaged should be removed and replaced with a new one. This will help prevent damage from occurring underneath the shingle and seeping into the structure underneath.
If your home has gutters it is important that they are kept clean and downspouts are clear. This helps to ensure proper water flow control. Tree branches that overhang the roof should be trimmed to help prevent branches and debris from falling into the gutters. Gutter cleaning should be done at least two times a year. Any time you visually see debris take the time to clean the gutters as improperly draining gutters can take years off of the lifetime of your shingle roofing.
Maintaining your homes roof is often simple and just a matter of knowing how your climate affects the shingles. Asphalt shingles are meant to thrive in the northern climates. They are resistant to heat, humidity, cold, ice and water. With periodic checks and minor maintenance your shingle roof should have a solid lifetime.
Maintenance is the key to prevent major issues in and outside of your home. Small activities to maintain your home are much simpler and less expensive than the more complicated costly repairs once something does fail.
Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs. You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.