The financial burden of having to replace or repair a roof is significant. New roofs cost thousands of dollars and are one of the largest home improvement projects a homeowner can face. Because roofs protect us from environmental hazards and keep us safe, it is imperative that this project not be taken lightly. Knowing what to do once the project is completed can go a long way towards increasing the longevity of your new roof investment. The following tips will give you an idea what to do and what not to do to protect your roof investment.
What to Do
- What to look for: Upon completing a new roof project check that sealant is applied appropriately (around terminations and penetrations), check for missing fasteners, and inspect for cracks. Verify the stability of HVAC units and remove any lose items from the roof. Ensure that there are no trees or tree limbs nearby that can damage the roof. Finally, make sure that drains are flushing and remove any debris that may pose a blockage.
- Avoid roof abuse: It is important to avoid excessive roof traffic. Lock roof access doors and install walkways for when it is necessary to walk on the roof.
- Schedule regular roof cleanings/maintenance: By scheduling an annual roof check you can spot roof problems early and fix rather than replace a roof. This can potentially save you thousands of dollars of the roof’s lifetime.
What Not to Do
- Ignoring moss or black stains: Moss can damage shingles, uplift tiles, and trap debris and water. Black stains are commonly thought to be caused by pollution, but, are actually a dark algae that will cause damage and shorten the longevity of your roof.
- DIY Roof Cleaning/Spot Cleaning: Proper roof cleaning involves cleaning the entire roof because there is algae present even if you cannot see it. It is not a good idea to clean a roof yourself. Ladders can be dangerous, and if you are not an experienced roofer you can do more harm than good by damaging the components of your roof.
- Trying to save money by procrastinating on roof cleaning: While you think your saving money by postponing roof cleaning you may be creating a larger problem. It is far cheaper to get your roof cleaned than to replace it because you didn’t maintain it.
Regular roof maintenance and inspections will go a long way towards improving the longevity of your roof. The above information will help you protect that investment.
Know Who to Call
The professionals at Crown have years of experience maintaining and repairing damaged roofs. We work with roofs of all types, tile, shingle, metal or flat. Crown offers services for both Commercial and Residential roofs. There is no job that is too big and no task too small for Crown. Call us today to schedule your appointment for a free estimate.