Your roof is one of the most important elements of your home. With a leaky roof, not only will you and your family get wet, but it could be causing expensive damage behind the scenes.
If the interior of your home, namely the walls and carpet, gets wet from a leaky roof, it opens the door to a whole host of problems including rot, mold, and mildew, which can be a costly issue to fix.
Follow these few roof maintenance tips to help keep your home dry and strong for years to come.
- Keep your gutters clean. A lot of times, roof damage is caused by overstuffed gutters. The weight can cause them to pull away from the shingles and cause holes in your roof. You should consider having a professional clean your gutters at least a few times a year - especially if you have large trees and debris around your house.
- Trim the trees that are close to your home. One of the reasons your gutters get full is because of broken tree limbs and leaves. To avoid this problem all together, you'll want to be sure to trim the tree branches that are close to your home. Another good reason to trim your trees? Bigger branches could fall during a storm and damage your roof.
- Check for moss on your roof. When moss grows in an area of your roof, it can take over, leaving your roofing without much strength. Moss and algae can cause certain spots to become weak over time since they hold moisture, so you should be sure to take note of any patches. A roofing professional can take care of any existing damage from moss.
- Don't make a habit out of walking on your roof. We always recommend calling a professional when you need to clear debris from your roof or fix a broken shingle. Although it's feels strong beneath your feet, when you walk on your roof, you can lessen its integrity over time.
A leaky roof can cause expensive damage to your home. Be sure to talk to Insurance Scout Partners to make sure you have the right homeowner insurance coverages in place!