In order to maximize the safety and quality of your home, it is important to have a roof maintenance schedule. The action items reviewed in this blog post are crucial for identifying potential risks and concerns with your roof, and most only need to be completed every couple of years.
INSPECTIONS:
Roof inspections are essential for discovering potential hazards and fixing existing issues. So, plan on having your roof inspected twice annually. Inspections are especially important when roof debris increases, as this has the potential to deteriorate your roof. It is highly encouraged to schedule these inspections before rainy seasons and specifically before monsoon season in Arizona. Slacking off on these inspections could potentially void your roof warranty, so remember to make this a priority.
Keep in mind that if you partner with RENCO Roofing, they graciously provide one free roof inspection annually to existing customers, and this is certainly an offer to take advantage of!
SHINGLE EXAMINATION:
In addition to scheduling inspections, you should examine your shingles annually as well. In doing so, lookout for shingles that are missing, damaged, curled, buckled, or containing bare spots or even large areas of moss. Any faulty shingles identified will need to be replaced.
TREE TRIMMING:
It is also important to pay attention to the trees that exist in close proximity to your roof and trim them accordingly. This serves as a form of preventative maintenance, as even fallen leaves can add moisture to the roof and cause a weakened structure, mold growth, and roof leaks.
PIPE & VENT SEALING:
Sealing is another significant factor in the roof maintenance process. If you have a tile roof, sealing is one task that you do not have to worry about, as it has no exposed seams. However, if you have a shingle roof, its seams will need to be sealed occasionally. If the sealant is exposed to direct sunlight, the seams will need to be sealed every five to seven years. If the sealant has been spray–painted, which helps to block UV rays, the seams will need to be sealed every seven to 10 years. If you have a foam roof, its seams will automatically be sealed when the roof is re-coated by a roofer, and more details regarding re-coating are explained below.
CLEANLINESS:
Following your roof inspection, the roofer will communicate details with you in regard to the condition of your gutters. You will most likely need to clean your gutters out depending on the number of nearby trees and the qualities of your specific geographic area. It is especially important to maintain cleanliness on flat roofs, as you are unable to see the debris from the ground. Flat roofs are also more prone to block drainage, so it is important to note that drains are also much more necessary in flat roofs. If you have a foam roof, remember that it must be re-coated every five to 10 years, depending on the roof warranty that you have.
INTERIOR ROOF INSPECTION:
Lastly, it is important to remember to make efforts to check on the interiors of your roof. This may serve as the “do–it–yourself” section of the Home Roof Maintenance Schedule, but these minimal efforts do make a big difference in the long run. First, check inside your attic for signs of leaks, water stains, wet insulation, structural damage, mold, or areas of light shining through. Keep in mind that if you are based in Arizona, there is no need to insulate your attic due to the warm climate. Additionally, you should also examine ceilings on lower levels. Watch for cracks, water stains, or sagging along the beams, as these may be signs of structural stress.
