For many homeowners, the roof is one of the most problematic parts of the house. However, but that shouldn’t have to be the case. With the right mindset and care, there should be no issues when it comes to maintaining your roof. As with taking care of your health, prevention is better than the cure.
Seven Spring Roof Maintenance Tips in San Antonio, Texas
A bit of preparation is much better than fixing the problem when it’s too late. Other than saving money, you don’t have to waste time worrying too. Let’s take a look at some spring roof maintenance tips in San Antonio, Texas.
Inspecting Your Roof
Of course, it’s much better to leave it to the professionals to inspect and examine your roof. In San Antonio, there we are the experts in the field who can diagnose any problems in your roof. This way, you can rest assured that your home is safe and problem-free.
Checking the Roof
Being able to prevent any damage and problems from happening should be something you do often. By investing time, money, and energy into preventing problems, you can avoid huge repair costs in the future. Even if there are repairs in order, catching problems early tends to reduce the amount of work needed to fix them.
Something you can do on your own is to regularly check the roof itself and spaces directly connected to the roof. The attic is sometimes neglected by homeowners, but that shouldn’t be the case. Instead, maintaining the attic should be a priority, as mold and damage can build up and eventually become quite serious.
Cleaning Out Debris
Other things you can do is to remove plant life and debris from your roof. That includes moss, branches, and other debris. In the springtime, plant life starts to grow again, and leaves can become a problem once more.
Debris can accumulate and clog the gutters, preventing water from draining out and allowing moss and mold to grow. You should regularly ensure that the gutters are free of obstacles. That way, your roof stays dry often.
The vents connected to your roof should also be examined regularly. Mold and debris tend to restrict airflow when they get really dirty. You’ll have to call the experts in when that happens, but before that, you can still clean them yourself.
If it isn’t very serious yet, you can buy some moss killer, typically a product based on chemicals harmful to moss. Only wash the areas where the moss is growing and avoid getting the moss killer into storm drains. For lighter cases, you can also just sweep it off with a broom.
You can waterproof your roof to protect it from moss and mold. This would require the skills of an expert, but once your roof is waterproof, you’re relatively safe from serious dampness and the mold that could come with it. However, it’s important to keep an eye on the waterproofing, as well, as it can also wear out eventually.
Attentive Listening
Even when you’re just at home, it doesn’t hurt to simply listen. Any unusual sounds can be signs of trouble and you should check them immediately. While you can go outside and take a look, you can call an expert to schedule an inspection should you detect something strange.
Listening for these sounds is especially important after a rainstorm, and springtime is the season of rain, making this doubly important. The water can deposit all sorts of leaves, branches, and debris onto your roof. It also doesn’t take a long time for a quick look.
Roof Upgrades
As much as your roof is going to last for ideally many years, it’s still not a bad idea to upgrade it to a better option. For example, changing to better shingles will allow your roof to last even longer. Some other accessories — such as better insulation, improved gutters, and options — can help keep your roof in excellent condition for much longer.
Shingles will eventually be broken or missing, and that will create holes in the defense of your roof against the elements. Replace them often to keep your roof safe.
Particularly relevant to spring is to upgrade your gutters. The old-style gutters require a lot of maintenance to keep them clean and running. With new-style gutters that have built-in covers, debris and leaves are kept out.
This way, your roof is free of plant matter and it also looks cleaner. A clean roof always looks better than a neglected one!
Trimming the Tall Trees
Instead of removing branches and debris, you can go even further and take care of any tall trees around your house. Trim the large branches off so that there won’t be any risk of severe damage after powerful storms. Without these large branches, there will be fewer leaves closer to the house as well.
On average, trimming a branch costs a few hundred dollars. However, when compared to a roof replacement or intensive repairs, this is more affordable. The spring rain can be quite vigorous, and you might be relieved when you see other branches fall elsewhere, but your roof is fine. That’s why we recommend taking care of the nearby trees, especially those closest to your home.
Contact Your Roofer
Even if the year passes by and you rigorously check your roof, it’s still a smart idea to contact us to check your roof. Your roof should be checked regularly, at least twice a year. Furthermore, we are also always available when you have a situation you can’t handle.
A professional roofer can detect problems and other things you might have missed and provide the proper care your roof needs to last for years to come. When the time comes, the roofer can also replace your roof if it’s too old. It’s much more reliable than doing it yourself.
Need a Roofer in San Antonio?
Roof maintenance isn’t something you do often, but you can always take some of these extra steps and check for any damage earlier. When living in San Antonio, Texas (especially during the springtime!), these tips are particularly effective. Here at Titan Roofing, we can help take care of all your roofing needs.