3 Crucial Things to Include in Your Asphalt Roof Maintenance Checklist
Proper maintenance is the key to maintaining the performance and longevity of a residential asphalt roof. A well-maintained roof can protect your structure from water damage and lower your home's energy consumption. Timely maintenance also prevents costly repairs. When creating a maintenance checklist, you need to divide it into practical procedures. This ensures that you don't neglect essential jobs and expose your roof to damage. With this in mind, here are the vital tasks to include in your maintenance checklist.
Roof cleaning
Roof cleaning is a crucial step in the maintenance process. High winds and overhanging branches can cause branches, leaves and other debris to fall on your roof. Over time, leaves and debris trap moisture on the surface of the roof and cause algae growth. Algae can discolour your roof and cause shingle damage. When it rains, the debris washes into your gutters, causing blockage, gutter leaks and failures.
Regular roof cleaning helps keep debris out of the structure, which can help preserve its visual appeal and extend the durability of the shingles. As you clean the roof, remember to wash the gutters as well. Clean your roof at least once a year. It's advisable to seek professional cleaning services annually, especially after autumn.
DIY inspection
Regular roof inspection helps detect problems before they get out of hand. You can visually inspect your roof at least every three months. During the inspection, look out for:
- Missing and broken shingles
- Missing shingle granules
- Curled and flapping shingles
- Worn flashing around skylights, chimney, valleys and vents
- Signs of moisture damage
If you notice any of these problems, contact a roofing contractor for further inspection and repairs. For example, if you have flapping shingles, it means they have lost their adhesive, and they may fall off soon. Immediate resealing can save you from buying new shingles.
Professional inspection
Schedule a professional roof inspection at least once a year. DIY checks may not unearth all potential problems. Additionally, you may lack the equipment, time and expertise to climb up the roof and inspect it. Besides the above issues, a roofing contractor can inspect your roof and look for:
- Minor roof leaks around chimneys, skylights and broken shingles
- Underlayment failure
- Insulation and ventilation problems
- Rust, corrosion and damage on metalwork and masonry
- Water stains on exterior walls
Contractors can unearth underlying problems that could lead to roof failure. They use specialised equipment such as drones for faster and efficient inspection. Roofers also employ advanced technologies such as thermographic imaging to detect water infiltration in roofing, walls and ceilings.
A practical roof maintenance checklist should aim at identifying and combating potential issues before they cause roof damage and failure. Include these tasks in your checklist to improve the performance of your residential asphalt roof. Talk to a roofer for help.
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