Homeowner Roof Maintenance Checklist

By Cass Jacoby.  

Did you know that these eight tasks can extend the life of your roof? Read on to find out how.  

Roof maintenance is the number one way to extend the lifespan of your roof and catch costly repairs before they get exorbitant. While most roofing experts encourage a roof inspection oncea year, there are a few things you can do as a homeowner to protect your roof and ensure it is working in top order. Before you pull out your ladder, reach for your binoculars instead, you can do a general inspection safely from the ground without damaging your roof or risking a fall. 

Follow this checklist for better insight on whether or not to hire a professional roofer to do a more thorough inspection: 

1 – Have your roof cleaned every year to remove dirt, debris and algae 

Dirt and debris piling up on your roof can be detrimental to the material underneath if it is not properly removed. South Florida Caribbean News suggests you hire a professional at least once a year to remove any kind of algae or mildew on the roof.  

2 – Clean gutters 

From dust to twigs and leaves, a lot can get into your gutters and clog them making it easy for accumulated water to seep into your home. Your gutters play a key role in keeping your home dry, so it’s important to keep them clear so water can easily drain.  

If you find loose granules from asphalt shingles in your gutters, that is a sign of wear and warrants a call for a professional inspection to see if it is time to replace your roof.  

3 – Examine shingles 

You should keep an eye on how your shingles look. You can do this safely on the ground by simply looking at your roof. Be on the lookout for these signs of damage: 

• Missing shingles 

• Curling shingles 

• Cracked shingles 

• Peeling flashing 

• Missing granules 

Any of the above need to be looked at as soon as possible by a professional roofing contractor. Shingles alone are far cheaper to replace than a whole roofing system.  

4 - Trim overhanging branches 

It is wise to remove any branches hanging too close to your roof. During a storm, overhanging limbs can break off and fall onto your roof causing damage. In the fall, leaves can collect on the roof, retaining moisture which leads to algae build-up and can weaken your overall system.  

5 - Prevent ice dam formation 

While icicles are beautiful to look at in the winter, they are bad news for your roof. Ice dams are the result of snow melting into water and then refreezing on colder parts of your roof. These repairs can be intense and expensive. Redfin suggests you make sure your roof is well insulated and properly ventilated so your roof stays at a uniform temperature and ice dams can be avoided.  

6 – Reseal and caulk around vents and pipes  

Your roof is especially vulnerable where there are openings like chimneys, vents or pipes. Puls suggests that you make sure these components of your roof where gaps occur are sealed to reduce moisture infiltration.  

7 – Check for internal signs of damage 

Don't forget to check inside your house too! Look in your attic for signs of water stains, leaks and wet insulation. You should also look at the ceilings on lower levels checking for cracks and water stains, which are signs of structural stress. 

8 – Get your roof professionally inspected 

Even with all the maintenance listed above, you should hire a professional to inspect your roof regularly. An inspector will be able to spot potential problems that are easy to miss, as well as provide you with tips for how to maintain your roof. Experts can also give you a good idea of how many more years your roof will last. 

Conclusion  

By scheduling regular maintenance, you guarantee a healthy roof that will serve you for many years to come.  

Have a question? AskARoofer. 

Find your local roofing contractor in the RoofersCoffeeShop® Contractor Directory.  

About Cass

Cass works as a reporter/writer for RoofersCoffeeShop and AskARoofer. When she isn’t writing about roofs, she is writing about movies for her master's degree and dancing with her plants.