How To Maintain Your Shingle Roof
Your Comprehensive Guide To Shingle Roof Maintenance In West Deptford, NJ
Protect Your Investment From Costly Repairs And Roof Leaks
One of the most important parts of being a homeowner is taking care of your investment and ensuring your home remains in good condition. This includes performing routine shingle roof maintenance on your West Deptford, NJ house.
Ameritech Services understands just how daunting that can be for the average person. So, we’ve developed this detailed guide to help you understand exactly what you need to do to keep your Gloucester County home’s roof in top shape.
Get A Thorough Roof Inspection Annually
It’s easy to forget about your roof. As long as you don’t have any visible leaks or missing shingles, it can be common for homeowners to assume all is well. However, potential problems can easily lurk beneath the surface.
Most homeowners don’t have the knowledge or experience that a professional roofing contractor has. Because of this, it can be very challenging to spot issues that aren’t blatantly obvious.
While it’s not advisable for you to climb onto the roof because of safety reasons, you can still do your own visual inspection from the ground each season. You’ll want to make a complete circle around your home, looking for signs of missing or damaged shingles.
Pay close attention to any of the following signs:
- Damaged flashing
- Extensive granule loss
- Excessive wear and tear
- Multiple missing shingles
If you find any of these issues, call a professional to complete a thorough inspection and complete any necessary repairs quickly. Addressing issues with your roof immediately can help you avoid the need for a roof replacement.
Clean Your Gutters To Prevent Ice Dams And Water Damage
It’s definitely no one’s favorite job, but gutter cleaning is essential to shingle roof maintenance. Gutters are designed to direct water away from your roof to prevent unnecessary water damage from occurring.
When they become blocked by debris, the water cannot freely flow through the channels, resulting in it backing up onto the roof. As the water pools, it can seep underneath the shingles, leading to roof leaks.
Even worse, in the winter, clogged gutters can lead to the development of ice dams. This ice buildup can cause severe damage to your shingle roof that requires costly repairs.
At least once a year, you’ll need to remove all debris, including leaves and sticks. If you live in a heavily forested area, you may find you need to complete this task more frequently.
At Ameritech Services, we have the perfect solution to your gutter cleaning nightmares – gutter guards. These amazing additions to your gutter system will help keep debris from entering, greatly reducing your maintenance requirements.
Remove Tree Branches That Overhang The Roof
Low-hanging tree branches can do a number of your shingle roof. When severe winds hit the Gloucester County area, these branches can strike and scrape your shingles, causing significant damage.
Additionally, when branches overhang the roof, there’s always the potential for a limb to fall on the structure, damaging it.
Not only will this involve costly repairs, but you’ll also potentially find yourself needing an alternative place to stay for some time while the repairs are completed.
Limit The Growth Of Moss And Algae On Your West Deptford, NJ Home’s Roof
Whether you’ve seen it on your own house or just those in the neighborhood, moss and algae can be quite the eyesore on an otherwise pristine roof. But it goes deeper than that.
Excessive moss on a roof can lead to water damage. It readily absorbs water like a sponge and holds it close to the shingles. This can cause the shingles to lift up around the edges and leaks to start inside.
Additionally, moss and algae growth can lead to mold development. Mold feeds on organic substances and enjoys wet environments. Moss and algae provide the ideal breeding ground for this hard-to-manage problem.
Treating your roof regularly to prevent the growth of moss and algae is a crucial step in maintaining your shingle roof. Of course, because of the safety risks involved, it’s best to hire a professional roofing company to tackle the job.
Keep Your Roofing Shingles Free From Debris
You’ll need a plan for removing leaves and other debris from your shingles. The longer leaves and pine needles remain on your roof, the greater the risk your roof has for water damage.
These organic materials retain water, holding it against your roofing shingles. Over time, the water can work its way underneath the roof materials, creating a leak and causing significant interior damage.
Investigate The Attic For Potential Problems
Some problems aren’t visible from the ground or even a ladder. When you conduct your personal inspections of your roof, it’s important to examine the attic for signs of water damage.
If you don’t have a finished attic, you’re less likely to spot small leaks when they first form due to not spending a lot of time in the space.
Periodically checking your insulation and rafters will allow you to find damp spots, areas where water is dripping, or spots where mold has begun to grow.
As soon as you see any of these problems, it’s essential to call for a professional roof repair contractor to assess the damage and provide a solution. At Ameritech Services, we pride ourselves on delivering custom-tailored solutions that work for your specific situation.
Turn To The Experts At Ameritech Services For All Your Roof Repair Needs
Whether you need to replace a few shingles or need a trained eye to find hidden problems, trust the professional team at Ameritech Services to keep your residential roof in the best shape. Call us today to schedule your free estimate.