Roofing Maintenance – Things Your Home Inspector Will Check

If your roof is overdue for maintenance, small issues can easily grow into major repairs that are costly to fix. Your home inspector will check several items to ensure your roof is functioning as it should.

Your gutters are responsible for the proper drainage of your roof. This is crucial to keep water from saturating your soil and seeping into your foundation, basement or crawl spaces. If your gutters are clogged with leaves, pine needles, shingle grit or other debris, it can cause the drainage system to fail. The water will overflow the gutter and back up onto the soffit and fascia, which can damage your home’s exterior. Visit https://www.corpuschristiroofingco.com/ to learn more.

Gutters and downspouts are also important for preventing soil erosion. This is a common problem that can lead to foundation settlement, cracking of walls and chimneys and damp crawl spaces. Inspecting your gutters and downspouts regularly and keeping them clean can prevent these problems from occurring.

It is recommended to clean your gutters twice a year or more, depending on the amount of rainfall in your area. During this time, you should also check the slope of your gutters to ensure that they are draining properly. If the gutters aren’t sloped correctly, you may need to install a downspout extension or make other modifications to improve your water drainage.

Another thing to look for is rust or corrosion on your gutters, downspouts and rafter hangers. If you notice these signs, you should have your gutters repaired or replaced as soon as possible to avoid leaks and other water damage.

You should also inspect your gutters after a rainstorm to see how well they are functioning. If your gutters are leaking, you should have them repaired as soon as possible to prevent water from seeping into your home and causing damage to the interior.

If you’re not comfortable climbing up a ladder to inspect your roof and gutters, or you just don’t have the time to do it yourself, it’s a good idea to hire a capable contractor to take care of these tasks for you. These professionals can check your roof and gutters for problems and do any necessary repair work to keep them in good condition. A qualified contractor can even help you choose a new roof or gutters for your home.

Trim Tree Branches

Keeping tree limbs away from your roof is important for both aesthetic and practical reasons. If the branches are too close, they can cause damage to your shingles and even fall onto the house, potentially resulting in expensive roof repairs or structural problems. They can also become tangled in the gutter system, leading to clogging and overflowing water that could damage your roof or even your home’s siding or foundation. In addition, overhanging limbs are a highway for squirrels and other pests, who can easily use them to gain access to your attic and do more damage.

Overgrown branches can also create an environment that encourages the growth of mold, mildew, and moss. In addition, pollen and other pollutants can stick to the limbs and make it difficult for your roof to shed moisture. This can lead to rot and mold, which can also require costly repairs. Finally, limbs that hang over your home can cause significant damage if they break or snap during a storm.

If your trees are overgrown, it’s a good idea to hire a certified arborist to trim the branches. This is best done before the heavy rains and strong winds of summer, when the risk of damage to your roof is high.

A certified arborist has the knowledge and experience to determine how far the limbs should be from your roof, as well as the proper techniques for trimming them without causing damage. They will also be aware of any local ordinances that may prohibit the removal of certain species of trees or have restrictions on their trunk size.

If you do choose to trim the limbs yourself, it’s important to have the right tools for the job. While pruning shears might work for smaller twigs, larger branches will require a more robust tool like a ladder or chainsaw. Always wear safety gear when working with ladders and power tools to prevent injury. Once you’re on a ladder, find the first overhanging branch that requires trimming and saw it up about an inch from where it meets the trunk of the tree. Then saw another cut upward about a foot further out than the first, and remove the entire branch.

Clean Your Attic

When it comes to home maintenance, attics are often neglected. A poorly maintained attic is not only a source of dust, but it can lead to leaking roofs and other problems. Keeping your attic clean can help prevent rodent infestation, reduce energy costs, improve air quality, and increase storage space. Having an attic that is properly ventilated also helps to prevent mold and mildew in other areas of the house.

If your attic is unfinished, start by removing any boxes or bags that may be stored there. This will make the attic easier to clean and organize. It’s a good idea to wear a mask while cleaning your attic so you don’t inhale dust or insulation particles. Also, it’s a good idea to wear long pants and sleeves to protect your skin from allergens.

Most attics have minimal lighting, so a headlamp or bright lamp will come in handy to light the corners and check for rodent droppings. You can even hang a string of lights in the attic to help with illumination and ambiance. If you decide to use the attic as a storage space, consider adding wire or wood shelving between the rafters to help with organization. Be sure not to step on or between the rafters, as you could easily poke a hole through your living area ceiling below.

Next, sort through the items that are stored in the attic and organize them according to category (keep, donate, or toss). Look for signs of rodent activity (droppings or chewed boxes), and any gaps or slivers of daylight that could allow pests or moisture into the house. Call in a professional exterminator if necessary to address any issues.

After completing your attic cleanup, you’ll want to sweep or vacuum the floors and surface areas of the attic. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag or dust cup frequently to avoid clogging it. You can also wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth to further control dust in the house. Be sure to wear a mask during this process too, as it can be a dangerous task.

Check Your Shingles

The shingles on your roof perform many important functions, from providing insulation to shielding your home from the sun’s harmful UV rays. To ensure that they are still performing well, you should examine them regularly to look for the following problems:

Missing shingles: A common sign of storm damage, missing shingles leave your home vulnerable to leaks and other structural damage.

Cracked shingles: If you see shingle cracks, it’s time to have them replaced. The cracks allow water to leak into your roof, which can lead to costly repairs and interior damage.

Blistering shingles: The special granules that give shingles their color perform other important functions, including protecting them from the sun’s damaging UV rays. If you notice shiny granules in your gutters or on the ground, it’s a good indication that the shingles are starting to deteriorate.

Loose shingles: If a shingle is loose, it can be easily blown away by wind. A loose shingle also leaves the underside of your roof exposed to moisture, which can damage or even ruin your plywood attic ceiling and walls.

Dark stains on your roof: Long, dark streaks flowing from peak to eave aren’t just dirt—they’re algae that could be slowly destroying your shingles. To stop the problem, spray the shingles with a 50/50 mixture of water and bleach.

After a storm, it’s also a good idea to check your roof for debris that was blown onto the surface. Look for items such as wood chips, shingle pieces and leaves that may be buried or trapped under the shingles. Also, inspect your step flashing (the metal strips used along the wall that intersect with your roof) for signs of rust. When this material rusts, it can allow water to flow behind your shingles, potentially causing leaks and mold. If you notice any of these issues, contact a professional roofing contractor right away to prevent further damage. They can replace or repair your shingles and repair any other exterior damage that has already occurred. Indoor symptoms of roof problems include mold, mildew and water stains on the ceiling and walls.