4 Maintenance Tips for Keeping Your Utah Roof in Great Condition
Despite the vital function roofing serves in protecting our homes against hazards such as harsh weather, sunlight, moisture and pest infiltration, these exterior features still, often go neglected for far too long. This casualness seems even more perplexing when you consider that the average American roof costs upwards of $6500. By not taking care of regular upkeep and maintenance, you risk losing this investment and drastically increasing the cost of any repairs or reinstallation.
At Layton Roofers we’re committed to making your roofing solutions last as long as possible, and that includes offering industry leading roof repair services in Utah. But for customers looking to get a leg up in preventing any expensive roofing problems down the line, here are some handy maintenance tips you can follow.
1. Inspect Your Roof Every Spring and Fall
If your roof is accessible, and safe to walk on; then these are the two best times of the year to carry out routine check-ups. If you’re not able to get up onto your house safely, then you can carry out a visual inspection from the ground floor using binoculars; or call in one of our roofing technicians.
You should be looking for:
- Cracked tiles
- Curling shingles
- Signs of mold, fungus or moss infection
- Crumbling brickwork around the chimney
- Loose boards
- Leaking gutters
- Dark patches
- Deteriorated flashing
- Any bare or exposed surfaces.
Any broken or missing tiles and shingles need to be replaced as soon as any extra space will weaken the integrity of your entire roof; providing more space for other areas to break and move to. Exposed areas also decrease your roof’s ability to withstand moisture and rain without leaking.
2. Clean Out the Gutters
Make sure that leaves, twigs and other materials aren’t clogged up in your gutters and drains. If water isn’t draining properly then it can overflow and seep into the foundations of your roof instead. This causes rot, infection and eventually leakage. Unkempt gutters also carry extra weight which could cause them to break away from your housing structure.
3. Trim any nearby Trees
Overhanging branches can easily damage your roofing materials, especially in period of high wind; when they’re likely to scrap across the roof surface. These branches also provide easy access points for squirrels, birds and other pests that can nest in your roof causing damage over time. In worst case scenarios heavy branches can be knocked down in hurricane or storm conditions causing severe impact damage to your roof.
4. Check the Roof Interior
Keep an eye on the ceiling of your attic. If you’re noticing cracking or blistered wood, then there’s a chance that the roof membrane may be leaking. If you’ve had plumbing or electrical work done recently it’s usually wise to check whether this work has damaged any parts of the roofing structure.
Make sure your attic is well ventilated and insulated; keep the area dry and free from moisture. Don’t paint any surfaces that show obvious signs of rot or water damage as this will only hasten the deterioration of the material.
