6 Best Practices To Take Care Of Your New Roof
by Floyd Dunn
A new roof installation is a big project that involves the investment of both time and money. In order to keep your roof in peak condition, you can maintain it on a regular basis using the tips below.
1. Gutters: Clean your gutters regularly to prevent the build-up of leaves and other debris. Typically, a thorough cleaning in the spring and again in the fall is sufficient. When gutters get clogged the water cannot flow through the gutter system properly and can damage your brand new shingles.
2. Branches: While having a roof that is shaded by overhead trees is nice in the warmer months, branches that overhang your roof can damage your shingles. During windy weather, the branches can rub against the shingles, slowly destroying the protective gravel-like surface typically found on asphalt shingles. Avoid this problem by trimming surrounding tree branches so that they do not overhang your new roof.
3. Debris: Whether it is the neighbor's football or a broken tree limb, it is important to remove debris from your roof shortly after it lands. Like overhanging tree branches, debris can roll around on your roof and remove the protective gravel coating. This coating is designed to protect your shingles and, in turn, your roof from the elements, like snow, sleet, and hail. When it is missing, your shingles are left defenseless.
4. Mildew: Shady roofs are prone to mildew, mold, and even moss growth. While this is nothing to be alarmed about, it is imperative to have the mildew cleaned off your roof regularly to prevent the growth from doing permanent damage to the shingles as well as the plywood underlayment. It should be noted here that there are brands of asphalt shingles that are now available as fungus- or algae-resistant.
5. Trees: Consult an arborist about the health of the trees near your home. If any are suspect or nearing the end of their life, it might be best to proactively remove them before they fall and damage your new roof. This is especially true if you live in an area prone to strong storms or hurricane-force winds.
6. Signs of age: While you may or may not have known that your last roof was reaching the end of its useful life, you can keep a close watch on your new roof. The simple act of walking around the perimeter of your home once a month to look for curling, broken, or missing shingles can go a long way toward being aware of the health of your roof.
Cleaning your roof and gutters regularly as well as keeping an eye out for things that might cause damage to your new roof installation are both great ways to take care of your new roof. With proper maintenance, your new roof can last a long time.
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Welcome to a blog about the two C's. The two C's, as you might have already guessed are construction and contractors. These words are closely related. "Construction" refers to the art and science of building something. That something could be anything from a shed to a sidewalk. "Contractors" are the people who do the building. There are general contractors who do all sorts of building work, and then there are specialists who do work such as plumbing, electrical work, and drywall. Stop by and read a few articles when you have the time, and we promise you'll learn more about these two C's.