A well-maintained roof protects the home and adds value. However, wear and tear can lead to leaks that need to be repaired promptly.
Roofing Corpus Christi TX is a highly specialized field and a lack of experience can result in costly mistakes. Additionally, some roofing materials have warranties that may be voided by DIY repairs.
Inspect Your Roof
Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against harsh weather conditions and should be inspected regularly. Proper roof maintenance helps preserve the condition and lifespan of your roofing materials while preventing costly repairs in the future. By performing a few simple tasks, such as conducting regular visual inspections, trimming overhanging branches, addressing leaks promptly, and keeping your roof clean, you can help extend the life of your roofing materials.
Visually inspect your roof at least twice a year, in the spring and fall. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as shingle damage or areas that are sagging. Also, check for piles of leaves or debris that can retain moisture and cause serious damage to your roof. Pay particular attention to any shingles that are curled, missing, or have lost significant granules. These shingles will allow water to seep into your home and may need to be replaced.
If you’re fit enough to do so, climb a ladder and visually inspect your gutters, chimney, and flashing on the roof. If you notice any cracked or loose bricks, it’s important to call a professional for repairs right away.
Homeowners should inspect the caulking around the chimney and vent pipes regularly. It’s a common source of leaks, and if the caulk is starting to lift, it needs to be scraped off and replaced with a new bead.
It’s also a good idea to clean the inside of your chimney regularly. This will help to prevent the buildup of creosote, which can cause a fire hazard. You should also clean out any unused fireplace vents regularly to remove the soot-like substance.
It’s also important to ensure your roof has proper ventilation. A well-ventilated roof will help to reduce shingle damage and keep your home cool and comfortable. Check that your attic vents are free of obstructions and open, and if you suspect any problems, contact a roofing Little Rock specialist for assistance.
Clean Your Gutters
Gutter systems play a critical role in preventing water damage to the roof and fascia. Water moves from the roof through the gutters to the downspout, where it is deposited away from the house. Clogged gutters lead to water backup that can erode shingles and cause wood to rot. Regular inspection and cleaning are key to preserving the life of your roof.
Gutters are prone to collecting dirt, animal feces, leaves, twigs, and other debris that can clog the gutter system. Cleaning your gutters on a schedule (two times per year is recommended) is important to prevent these clogs. It’s also essential to clean up the debris that is washed away when cleaning out your gutters and to make sure that your downspouts are clear of blockages.
Cleaning your gutters doesn’t have to be difficult or dangerous. You can use a ladder or hire a professional to do the work for you, but you can also clean your gutters with a hose from the ground. To do so, start by using a broom to sweep away any pine needles, leaves, or other debris that has accumulated near the gutters. Then, spray the hose into each section of the gutter to rinse out the trough and check that the downspouts are free of blockages.
Once you’ve cleared out one gutter section, move on to the next. Repeat the process until all of your gutters are cleaned out and inspected.
If you spot any algae or moss growing on your roof, it’s important to remove them before they become too established. You can do this with a solution made of equal parts water and bleach, or you can try a natural alternative such as hydrogen peroxide.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to trim tree branches that hang over the roof before they fall in severe weather conditions. Overgrown branches are more likely to break and fall on the roof, causing extensive and costly damage that may not be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. While you can do this yourself if the trees are low enough, a professional tree trimming service is often preferable for more challenging or high-up locations.
Remove Algae
Algae can turn roof shingles black and cause unsightly streaks that lower your home’s curb appeal. The spores that cause the discoloration are airborne and can be carried to your roof by rain, wind, or insects. It’s most common in coastal or humid climates. The most common type of algae that forms on a roof is gloeocapsa magma, which protects itself from the sun’s UV rays by producing a dark-pigmented sheath. The spores are harmless to humans and pets but can cause damage to shingles, causing them to crack or tear.
When algae spores get trapped under the shingles, it can cause rot and mold. Breathing in fungus or mold can cause numerous health issues including respiratory problems, asthma, nausea, and vision problems. If you have mold or mildew on your roof, it’s best to hire a professional to clean the area. If left untreated, the spores can continue to spread. If you do attempt to remove the fungus yourself, you must follow instructions carefully. Using the wrong cleaning solution or improperly removing the fungus can lead to expensive roof leaks and strip the shingles of their granules, resulting in unsightly bald spots.
You can use a bleach mixture on your roof to kill the fungus or mold and remove any moss. Mix equal parts water and bleach with a garden sprayer and apply it to the areas of your roof that are affected. Be sure to cover your garden below the roof, so that the solution doesn’t run off into your plants and kill them. After you have sprayed the roof, wait for about 30 minutes while the chemicals work their magic. Afterward, rinse the roof with water.
Another way to prevent the growth of moss or algae on your roof is to make sure that any overhanging branches are cut back and the roof is properly ventilated. It is also a good idea to install gutters that direct water away from the roof.
While DIY maintenance tasks like sweeping, cleaning gutters, and applying protective coatings can help you save money on your energy bills and extend the life of your roof, hiring a professional for more complex tasks such as algae removal is always a wise choice. A professional brings specialized equipment, experience, and expertise to the task, saving you both time and physical labor.
Remove Ice Dams
Ice dams are the result of melting snow that refreezes, forming an icy barrier on your roof. They are not only unsightly, but they can cause interior leaks. They also put the underlying shingles at risk of damage from the water pressure behind them. While preventing them is the best strategy, you should address any that have formed already so they don’t get worse.
The best way to remove an ice dam is with a roof steamer. However, this can require getting up on the roof—which isn’t advisable at the best of times. A safer and more effective solution is to use a telescoping roof snow rake, which you can find at hardware stores. These rakes have long handles that can extend up to 17 feet. You can safely use them from the ground, which is much more practical than trying to climb up on a slippery roof.
Another option is to use calcium chloride ice melt products. Be sure that you’re not using rock salt, which can damage your roof and surrounding shrubbery. Instead, purchase calcium chloride ice melt and fill a nylon stocking or tied-off tube sock with the product. Then, place the sock vertically over an ice dam, with one end sticking out over the gutter and downspout. Cover any plants and shrubbery with lightweight tarps for the duration that the calcium chloride is on the roof to prevent the liquid from damaging them.
Once the ice dam starts to melt, you can use a rubber mallet to break open channels in it and hasten its removal. This should be done carefully, to avoid displacing the surrounding snow. It may take several days for the ice dam to completely disappear, but if enough of it has been broken up, it will allow rainwater to flow through and off your roof.
An even better approach is to install electric ice-melting cables on the eaves of your roof. These cost between $1 to $6 per foot and heat up to keep the ice on your roof melted, so rainwater can flow freely down your gutters.