Checking up on the roof while the weather is still nice is a great way to prepare for winter. Low-maintenance roofing materials such as asphalt roofing, metal roofing, and slate roofing need to be maintained regularly if you want it to last its intended lifespan. Knowing the basic principles of good roof maintenance will help your roof protect you. Here are some summer roof care tips to get started.
Quick Inspection
This summer begin your roof maintenance with a quick inspection. It will give you an overview of what actions need to be taken, if any. Start inside first: check the attic for stained walls (which could also mean wet insulation) or a musty odor (possible sign of mold and/or poor ventilation).
If it’s safe, conduct the inspection from on the roof; if it’s not, use binoculars. Look for leaks around roof protrusions such as vents, skylights, or dormer windows; loose or missing flashings; and mold/mildew growth. Also check for missing, curling, or damaged roofing shingles.
Common areas to look for moss or algae are on the north side, west side, and shaded areas of the roof.
If you do find a section of roof with lots of missing shingles or thick moss growth or large visible patches of damp consult a roofing contractor to make any necessary repairs. What you see might be just the tip of the iceberg – there could be underlying issues that a only roofing specialist can identify.
Sweeping Clean
Getting rid of organic materials such as leaves, left-over blossoms, and twigs will also help reduce the amount of debris that will enter the gutters when it does rain. Remove surface debris with a soft-bristle broom. This is the least invasive method – a blower might loosen already loose roofing shingles; a roof rake can remove the granules from asphalt shingles and damage the finishes of other kinds of roofing materials. Debris left on the roof becomes wet when it rains, and if it doesn’t dry out quickly enough can retain enough moisture where mold or mildew can grow.
Cleaning the Roof
A low-pitch roof can usually be safely stepped on. For steep roofs, use extension poles to clean the roof from the ground. Clean the roof when temperatures are in the mid-range – when it’s hot outside a roof that’s too heated can be damaged if walked on. Always use proper safety protocols when working directly on the roof.
Using a mild detergent or an earth-friendly product removes surface dirt and grime that can compromise a roof’s protective finish over time. Scrub stains gently with a wet cloth or soft bristle brush. Don’t use a power washer since it could force water under loose shingles or further distress shingles that are already damaged.
To get rid of moss or mold or other stubborn stains, use a solution of bleach/water/liquid detergent. Depending on the extent of the moss or mold growth, the cleaning solution might have to be applied again if it hasn’t worked after the first application. As mentioned above, if the moss is dense or keeps coming back, it’s probably best to have a roofing contractor remove it.
Inspect and Clean the Gutters
Summer is a good time to inspect the gutter system. Ensure all the hardware (brackets, nails, fasteners) for both the gutters and the downspouts is tight and not damaged. See if seams are still in good shape or in need of new sealant or caulking. If you have an asphalt roof, look for shingle granules in the gutters – a lot of granules in the gutter channels could be a sign of an aging roof.
Clean the inside of the gutters if there is accumulated debris. Skip the thorough gutter cleaning if you intend on having them cleaned in the fall. In the meantime, though, because of poor air quality due to forest fires and the effects of extreme heat, do wash and rinse the outside of the gutter system – it will help protect the finish from dirt and pollutant buildup which can scratch metal surfaces.
Trees and Climbing Plants
Summer roof care maintenance also includes trimming trees and keeping a watchful eye on climbing plants. Pruning tree limbs that grow close to the house prevent damage to the roof and the gutters from limbs scraping across them on a windy day. It also will reduce the amount of leaves and twigs that land on the roof and eventually into the gutters.
Ensure climbing plants such as ivy and roses don’t creep on to the roof. They can block rain runoff from the roof into the gutters causing standing water on the roof or for the water that should flow into the gutters to be trapped beneath the leaves of the climbing vine.
