Roof damage left untreated can end up costing you an arm and a leg. We mean this figuratively, of course, as body parts are priceless. That being said, your roof does have a price and like anything valuable, should be maintained to avoid unnecessary repairs and/or replacements.
Roofing isn’t always easy but the alphabet is elementary, so this list should be easy-peasy. Just remember these ABC’s of roof health and you’ll see your roof last the lifetime of the products you’ve invested in.
A is for Algae!
Avoid overgrowth of algae. moss, and fungus. While a couple of those may be ingredients in your daily green powder, they don’t actually improve your home’s health. These natural organisms tend to grow in between and all around shingles. Overtime they can spread until they’ve taken over your entire roof.
These growths are more common in wetter climates (like Salem, Oregon) and can accumulate after lots of rainfall in the fall and winter months. Make sure you clean your roof after these seasons and replace any individual shingles that may have been damaged.
Remember that Dallwig Brothers carries algae-resistant shingles to help make your job easier!
B is for Branches!
Trimming isn’t just for your mountain man beard! Similarly to manscaping around your chiseled jaw, you should keep branches nice and well-kept, not making contact with your precious roof.
Anytime branches are overhanging they create little havens for leaves and dirt, which collect moisture and in time can cause your roof to bow and ceiling to sag. And while the many states of a man’s beard may be beautiful to some, trust us on this one, an unkempt roof is not a good look.
C is for Clean the Gutters!
Your mind isn’t the only thing that shouldn’t be in the gutter—neither should debris! Whenever your gutters get clogged they begin to overflow into other cracks and crevices in your roofing structure.
Cleaning the gutters only costs your time so put on some gloves and take out the leaves, dirt, and the dirty images (okay, the last one is for your brain).
D is for Detect Wear and Tear!
You shouldn’t need Sherlock Holmes for this job. I mean, if your’e going to call anyone, call someone specialized in roofing (Dallwig Brothers Building Supply for instance), not a fictional fantasy detective.
All joking aside, early detection of cracks, missing or decaying sealant, and corroded metals can save you from calling a professional. Clean any damaged areas, fill cracks and reapply sealant if necessary.
We hope these tips help you and make your roof the envy of the neighborhood!
Remember, ladies love a clean roof just as much as they love your glowing smile when you say, “I cleaned the roof for you, Honey.” And by the way, that last statement was simply a portrait of a nice gesture for your spouse and we don’t think it has a double meaning, but if your mind went somewhere else, you clearly need to go reread part C of this article.