One of the best things you can do for your home is to exercise good roof maintenance.
“Your roof is the single strongest system holding your home together and protecting it from Mother Nature, so you want a roof that will keep wind and wind-driven rain outside where it belongs,” Susan Millerick, director of public affairs for the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, a nonprofit headquartered in Tampa, tells US News & World Report.
Good roof maintenance can help you keep your home together. Here are a few tips.
Keep it clean
“In addition to bothersome branches, leaves and other elements can clog your gutter system and cause water to backup into the attic, living areas or behind the fascia boards. To ensure your drainage system is free flowing, it’s recommended that you clean your roof at least twice per year. Also, be on the lookout for sagging gutters or damaged drain components and repair or replace as needed,” according to Great Day Improvements LLC.
Make sure you have proper ventilation
Improper ventilation can cause real problems. According to DIY Network, “Dry rot isn’t related to any type of water damage, but lack of ventilation. If a roof repair is right in the middle of the roof, there is a chance that the plywood might be deteriorating. The roof will actually sag in and cause the roof shingles to get brittle, crack and then leak. Preventing dry rot consists of installing a ridge vent, which will only work if there is a soffit vent.”
Look out for leaks
Don’t let a leak go. Good roof maintenance means making sure repairs are done in a timely fashion. As DIY Network points out, “It’s important not to get discouraged when a leak can’t be found. It’s a process of elimination. You’ve covered one area, installed the shingles back and sealed it watertight so at least one spot is eliminated. Now, you can try other areas.”