Roofing Elevated
A Comprehensive Guide to 11 Best Roofing Maintenance Practices
A roof isn’t just the baseline necessity for protection and shelter, it’s also the first thing we see when admiring a beautiful structure miles away.
If you strike the right balance between functionality and beauty, you're taking advantage of a fantastic chance to make your roof breathtaking and remarkable.
Through time-tested techniques and custom designs, the team at Huber + Associates continuously restores historic roofs and tackles complex roofing projects.
We strive to maintain and enhance every roof, down to the most intricate detail, preserving roofing techniques of the past while generating forward-thinking and innovative technological advancements to make high-quality and long-lasting roofs for the future.
How?
Our team of master craftsmen take expert-level care with every project.
But you don’t need to invest thousands of dollars in a new roof, you can implement standard practices right now to enhance and maintain your roof effectively.
Because as we know, maintenance is essential for the performance of any roofing material.
Read below for our results-driven Comprehensive Guide to 11 Best Roofing Maintenance Practices.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Know the fundamentals of roof materials
Like any other renovation project, the best way to maintain and care for your roof is to know what type of roof you're working with.
At Huber + Associates, we restore many historical roofs with unique materials and installations.
For example, charming wood shingles and shakes have been popular roofing materials for centuries and provide long, reliable service when properly maintained.
Moss and lichens are enemies of the roof because they accumulate soil and other debris. This can cause the roof to remain wet for extended periods, encouraging the growth of fungi and accelerating decomposition.
Furthermore, rain can physically damage wood shingles or shakes. Wood swells as it wets and shrinks as it dries. If not installed properly, repeated wetting and drying can induce stresses in the wood that lead to cracks, splits or warping (Source: Oregon State).
Note: our expert installation prevents these occurrences
Slate roofing is a common material that elevates any structure. Slate roofs are also highly durable and can last up to 100 years, but you must know how to maintain them. Like wood, water leaks and damage can build up to cause significant problems. You're bound to occasionally have broken or slipped slates, especially if you live in a climactic area with many trees.
A few broken slates can be easily fixed, but a damaged or slipped slate can allow water to get under the roofing system. If this goes unchecked, the roof repair will eventually grow to include replacing underlayment, battens and decking (Source: Angi's).
Roofs have common problems that can be easily avoided with basic maintenance. We'll discuss these below. But the important thing is for you to understand your roof material type so you know how best to combat these problems.
Remember—when in doubt, hire an expert. Although regular maintenance can take some time and money, it will save you a major renovation and keep the longevity of your roof.
2. Gutter cleaning is vital for roof durability
Cleaning gutters is a tale as old as time—and there's a reason for it. A home's gutter system controls the flow of rainwater from the roof and protects your roof, foundation and walls. Water and debris trapped in unclean gutters can cause sagging gutters, mold, and leaks, so you must keep them clean!
We highly recommend cleaning gutters at least twice yearly, in the spring and fall. Cleaning gutters in springtime will prepare them for the heavy spring and summer rains. Clearing leaves and other debris accumulated during the warmer months is essential in the early fall.
When possible, avoid cleaning gutters after rain. Allowing a few dry days before cleaning your gutters will allow the debris to dry out, making the chore much more manageable.
So how do you clean gutters? It's simple:
First, prepare your ladder. Make sure your ladder is safely positioned on even ground. Prep two buckets, one for debris and one for tools. Hook these buckets onto your ladder for easy access.
Next, remove built-up debris. You can remove large debris by hand and use a gutter scoop to clear out compacted trash.
Then, remove and clean the downspout strainers.
Time to flush! Take a garden hose and spray the gutter to wash the gutters. If the amount of water coming out is less than what's going in, you may have a clog. Feed your garden hose through the downspout and increase water pressure to remove a clog.
Once your water flows freely, flush the gutter again to check for leaks or standing water. You can use sealant to repair any leaks. If standing water is in the gutter, the gutter needs to be properly sloped. If your gutters do not slope properly, detach the hangers and readjust them to the proper slope.
(Source: Home Depot)
A seasonal routine for gutter cleaning will keep them lasting longer and help your roof avoid unnecessary water leaks and damage.
3. Protect your roof by avoiding these three invaders
First things first: Moss, mold and lichen are awful for any roof (no matter what material) and should be avoided at all costs! If you spot signs of these troublesome invaders, you should plan on having them removed right away.
Moss traps water, and large amounts of moss growing on your roof can damage shingles by raising the edges, thus exposing the undersides to water, leading to leaks and permanent damage.
Mold and lichen can also cause permanent stains on the roof. Another problem is that moss and mildew can accumulate debris, leading to a fungi problem and accelerating the decomposition of your shingles.
Often, mold, moss and lichen problems occur due to environmental reasons, like a rainy climate or buildings under lots of shade.
We'll talk about ways to help protect from external problems next, but it's crucial to keep these bad guys away no matter where you are!
4. Trim trees for adequate protection
Here's the truth:
Overgrown trees and vegetation can adversely affect your roof.
Don't get us wrong; we love sitting in the shade with a cool glass of lemonade any day of the week. But, too much shade can slow evaporation, creating a perfect environment for moss or mold to thrive. This can cause damage to shingles and lead to leaking problems.
Additionally, overgrown trees lead to excessive leaves and debris on your roof, can cause costly damage if they fall off, and make it easier for pests to access your house. Trees can also disturb roof granules in a windstorm by rubbing against shingles (Source: Build).
So keep things tidy to increase protection.
5. Shingles give us crucial information about the roof's health
The state of your shingles can be a sign of the overall roof health, and there are a few warning signs to look out for:
A clear sign of problems with a roof is missing shingles, exposing the upper portion of the lower course of shingles to the elements. Storms or high winds are usually to blame for this. Missing shingles can allow water to penetrate the attic more easily. If the roof is in good condition overall, it may be possible to replace the section that has been damaged.
Curled, lifted or cracked shingles can be an entry point for water and should be repaired. Cracked shingles can signal that the shingles are deteriorating, and you may need a roof replacement soon if all shingles are the same age.
Buckled shingles indicate a problem with the sheathing, often installed too tightly with no room to expand. Buckled shingles could also indicate poor attic ventilation exacerbating the problem.
Visible mold, moss, or lichen may mean there's an issue with the roof not drying out. It is usually the result of being shaded most of the day. We covered this above, but we're restating it here because it's incredibly important.
(Source: Inch Calculator)
Simply put, take these precautions and protect your roof!
6. Check your chimney
While we're on the subject of roofs, let's talk about a related item that should be considered part of the maintenance routine—chimneys.
Having your chimneys cleaned and inspected regularly provides numerous benefits, including maximizing efficiency and safety and supporting overall roof health.
Specifically, when a chimney is in good working order and free from cracks or excessive wear, it can protect the foundation of your home or building. If it's considerably damaged, rainstorm water can seep inside, damaging walls and contributing to mold formation. Additionally, cracks in your chimney will allow toxic smoke into your home (Source: ChimneyTek).
7. Fasten up your flashing
Flashing refers to pieces of material installed to ensure a watertight seal in areas where two roof planes meet. In modern buildings, flashing is intended to decrease water penetration at objects such as chimneys, vent pipes, walls, windows and door openings to make buildings more durable and to reduce indoor mold problems (Source: Wikipedia).
Flashing is essential for preventing water leaks and roof damage. If you see that flashing is cracked, dented, gapped or missing, you should take time to replace it.
Caulk is commonly used around flashings on areas such as the chimney and vent pipes to prevent water leakage. Caulking expands and contracts as the weather changes, so it's important to check and replace caulk annually to ensure it works properly (Source: Build).
8. Use sealants to support your roof
Roof sealants are adhesive coatings that create a protective barrier over a roof, chimneys, vents and flashing. This material aims to seal cracks, gaps and damaged areas from the environment, keeping the elements from penetrating the structure. They can fix leaks or prevent them from happening in the first place (Source: Forbes).
Sealants are typically water or solvent-based.
Water-based sealants are thinner and easier to spread.
Solvent-based sealants are more durable against adverse weather. They are thicker, so they are a bit more challenging to apply.
There are many different types of sealants, each with pros and cons:
Rubber Sealant
Typically water-based, these are great at sealing the roof from rain or sunlight. You can find these at cost-effective prices. They're helpful for tiny cracks.
Silicone Sealant
These sealants are of higher quality with a higher price point but can solve many problems. They're very effective at sealing against rain, snow, other forms of moisture and UV rays.
Sealant Tape
These sealants come in long strips with highly-adhesive faces. They can protect seams in leak-prone areas or patch tears and rips in rubber membranes or shingles.
Polyurethane Sealant
Polyurethane sealants are very effective as a barrier against snow or rain. However, the sun's UV rays break down polyurethane sealants relatively quickly, which isn't ideal for sunny areas.
Acrylic Sealant
Opposed to polyurethane, acrylic sealants create an excellent barrier against UV rays. However, they're not practical for waterproofing, meaning acrylic sealants are better for hot, dry areas.
(Source: Forbes)
Remember, the lifespan and effectiveness of sealants can vary depending on your roof's materials and climate.
Make sure to research what's best for your specific situation thoroughly.
9. Attic ventilation and insulation
Here's the deal:
Proper attic ventilation is imperative for maintaining a healthy roof.
Why does this matter?
Sealed attics with no ventilation trap excessive heat and moisture, which can lead to damaged shingles and other problems.
Extra heat is not just a summer concern—come winter, hot attic air can melt snow on the roof during the day, only to refreeze when temperatures drop overnight. This can create ice dams that lead to roof damage and potential leaks inside the home (Source: Bob Villa).
There are two types of basic vents in an attic: intake and exhaust vents.
Intake vents are located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves, high on the sides of the house within a gable, or as shingled intake vents installed on a low part of the roof. These vents allow cool air to enter the attic.
Exhaust vents, which allow hot air to escape the attic, are located at the roof's peak (Source: Bob Villa).
Utilizing these vents to support heat's natural habit of rising will easily vent your attic. This is the most basic concept; every roof and ventilation system can be customized depending on your structure.
Other ways you can support ventilation:
Make sure airflow is not obstructed.
Check that soffit screens are free of debris and paint.
Keep cool—and your roof will thank you!
10. Become an insider—
Inside your building that is.
Often you can spot (and then fix) roofing problems from the inside.
There are a few specific signs to look out for:
Take any leaks, big or small, seriously. Although it may seem like a small problem, over time, small leaks can lead to big problems, such as mold, rotted framing and sheathing, destroyed insulation and damaged ceilings.
Observe ceiling stains. If you have water stains that extend across ceilings or run-down walls, the cause is a leaky roof.
Check for shiners. If you can't see any telltale flow marks and the ceiling stain is relatively small, look at the underside of the roof for 'shiners.' A shiner is a nail that missed the framing member. Moisture that escapes into the cold attic from the rooms below often condenses on cold nails. Sometimes you can spot this if you climb into your attic on a cold night. The nails will look white because they're frosted. When the attic heats up a bit during the day, the frost melts and drips, then the nails frost up at night again, and so on. The solution is to clip the nail with side-cutting pliers (Source: Family Handyman).
Observing changes within your home or building can unlock signs that something needs updating.
11. Level up your roofing care
We've talked a lot about how to fix problems and maintain the roof, but before we go, we have one more thing:
Regularly inspect your attic and ceilings and repair damages immediately. One of the easiest ways to find problems is by looking; and we just taught you what signs and precautions to look for.
Make it a regular practice to check and maintain your roof, just as you would regularly maintain your car with oil changes, new brake pads, etc.
A common mistake people make is ignoring minor issues that can be easy and inexpensive to fix.
Remember, minor problems quickly escalate and lead to costly damages.
That's it!
Our comprehensive guide to roofing maintenance, with rock-solid tips you can use right now.
You have unleashed the power of knowledge to elevate your roofing game.
And if you feel like you're not quite up for doing it yourself, give us a call!
We're here to help you restore, replenish and elevate your roof.
From one legend to another,
Your team at Huber + Associates
PS - Did we miss something? Do you have a specific roofing problem you need help with? Let us know in the comments!
