If you’ve just recently had a new roof installed, keeping it in peak condition requires regular maintenance. Annual or seasonal checkups can extend the life of the materials your roof is made from. When a roof isn’t maintained for several years, leaks are more likely to develop, which may result in costly water damage to your attic and home. Whether your roof has already been damaged or you’d like to have it maintained, call Charleston Roofs + Windows to request our services. We can help you identify the best solution for your roof.
Regularly Clean Gutters
When the gutters around your home become clogged, the water buildup may result in water damage in your basement as well as ruined paint along your home’s siding. Overflow issues can also affect your roof if the water goes upwards. If leaves pile up in your gutters, water is able to wick onto the roof sheathing, which may lead to extensive rot.
In this situation, the amount of repair work that your roof requires could amount to thousands of dollars, which is why it’s recommended that you have your gutters cleaned every spring and fall. If a leak occurs in your gutters, our roofing and gutter experts offer repair services.
Keep an Eye on Moss Buildup
The buildup of moss is a common occurrence with composition and wood roofs. While this growth won’t damage your roof, it can hurt the roof’s appearance. If this problem is tended to early enough, the professionals you hire may only need to sweep the moss off your roof to eradicate it completely.
If there’s a substantial buildup of moss on your roof, the moss might need to be killed before being disposed of, which is possible with the right soap solution. You can protect your roofs from moss by having zinc strips installed around the top of your roof, a service we provide at Charleston Roofs + Windows. These strips are more effective and environmentally friendly than spraying pesticides.
Keep Ice Dams at Bay
Roofs of all shapes and sizes are prone to developing ice dams following a heavy snowstorm. The warm air that circulates through your attic causes portions of your roof to warm up gradually, which melts some of the snow. The small streams of water that form will eventually refreeze once they get to the colder areas of your roof; this causes ice dams to form.
Any additional meltwater that flows behind the ice dams will become trapped and might start seeping through your roof, which can cause paint to peel and ceilings to stain. Ice dams can be prevented with the right amount of ventilation and insulation. Ensuring proper airflow and insulation in the attic will keep the area relatively cool during the winter months.
Have the Flashing Caulked
Every roof utilizes strips of metal that are positioned along the joints or edges of a roof. Known as flashing, these strips typically consist of materials like lead, aluminum, or galvanized metal. Flashing is able to keep rainwater from areas of your roof that shingles don’t cover. You’ll notice that flashing is also installed around chimneys, walls, and skylights.
Over time, flashing can lift, rust, or crack, which increases the likelihood of leaks and water damage. These strips of metal can be sealed with caulk. Here at Charleston Roofs + Windows, we can outfit your new roof with lead pipe flashing, which requires very little maintenance and is less likely to deteriorate than other flashing materials.
Obtain Better Ventilation and Insulation
Roofs that are properly ventilated and insulated are less likely to be bogged down by excess moisture. You can identify how much insulation and ventilation your roof has by having your attic inspected by our roofing experts. Roofs can experience sweating, which occurs when warm air rises and comes into contact with the cold air around the plywood that sits just below the primary roof material. Condensation is then created, which increases the possibility of rotting plywood and mold growth.
All vents need to have high amounts of air circulation. Keep in mind that a well-ventilated roof can cause your home to become hotter during the warm summer months. If air isn’t circulating properly in your attic, the hot air that builds up won’t go anywhere, which means that interior temperatures will eventually rise. Once your roofs have enough ventilation, you should also notice a drop in your monthly electric bill since your AC unit will no longer need to work hard to keep your home cool.
Have Shingles Inspected
Your roof shingles should be inspected annually by professional roof inspectors like ours. Even though high winds and wet weather are the primary causes of roof damage, ultraviolet light that hits your roof will worsen the quality of your roofing materials over time. If you request a roof inspection, we will thoroughly examine your roof’s shingles to make sure that they were installed correctly and are functioning properly.
Trim Overhanging Tree Branches
If there are any overhanging branches around your roof, they should be trimmed well before the inclement winter weather arrives. The wind, ice, and snow that whip around during a storm can send branches flying in all directions, which makes it more likely that your roof will be damaged.
Check for Damage After Heavy Thunderstorms
Caring for your new roof means repairing any damage that occurs before it worsens or spreads. After every large storm, you should visually inspect your roof to make sure that the materials haven’t been damaged or thrown off your roof. Look for signs of loose, missing, or curling shingles. You should also check for damaged flashing around skylights, vents, and chimneys.
If you believe that your roof has been damaged, call us immediately to request an inspection. While the majority of these issues can be fixed quickly, not repairing the damage immediately increases the risk that water will seep into your roof and damage the materials below.
Why Roof Maintenance Is Important
Your roof protects you from the elements and helps maintain your home’s interior temperatures. Depending on the exact material, roofs should last anywhere from 25 to 50 years when properly maintained. If, however, you don’t take care of your roof, damage may accumulate and cause your roof’s lifespan to drop. Some other reasons why roof maintenance is important for your home include the following.
- Catches problems early
- Helps you save money
- Boosts your home’s curb appeal
- Gives you peace of mind
- Aids the environment
At Charleston Roofs + Windows, we provide residents of North Charleston and the surrounding areas with a wide selection of roofing and window services. If your roof has recently been damaged by inclement weather, we’ll thoroughly inspect it, diagnose the problem, and provide you with a repair estimate. Complete roof maintenance, replacement, and installation services are also available. Our window services extend to full-service window replacement or installation for your home. Keep in mind that our roofing experts are also equipped to deliver storm restoration and repair services, as well as emergency tarp service following severe weather. Call Charleston Roofs + Windows today to schedule our roof maintenance or repair services.