Roof Inspection

During summers — which call for lot of sun – roof maintenance is essential. A new roof is an expensive idea. For that reason, every homeowner desires a prolonged life for their roof made with substantial investment. Whether you installed your roofing now or a few years ago, following the tips below will help extend its life. This way, you can avoid spending on a new roof soon.

5 Late Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Roof

1. Inspect

The first task is to inspect your roof from all angles. Use binoculars or a ladder and look for broken or missing shingles, fungal or weed growth and junk that may have accumulated in the roof’s cracks and crevices. Also, examine the roof for other issues like water stains, missing or loose hardware components, etc.

2. Clean Gutters

House gutters are likely to be clogged with twigs, leaves, and other debris which can ruin paint and lead to water damage. The debris in them can sometimes direct water upwards and rot the roof sheathing. Also, examine the gutters for holes, cracks, or missing caulk. Use gloves to scoop out the garbage from the downspouts as the chemical buildup can be abrasive.

3. Remove Leaves and Twigs

A roof surrounded by tall bushes or overhanging trees is prone to rapid decomposition. This is because leaves and branches from trees collect in roof valleys, allowing moisture to accumulate on your roof. This can promote weed growth in the area and seepage below the roofing surface. So, pick a sunny morning, get on the ladder, and get rid of all the organic matter on your roof.

4. Eradicate Moss

Moss growth can mainly be seen on wooden roofs or shingles. It traps water and thus needs to be tackled almost immediately. We recommend that you use a moss-killing cleaning solution. The unwanted growth can then be swept away by a soft-bristled broom/brush. Once the roof is free of moss, you can install zinc strips to prevent it. It’s more effective and eco-friendly than spraying chemicals.

5. Apply Protective Materials

Late summer is the best time to consider applying coatings, sealants, and other protective materials to your roof. After you’ve finished cleaning your roof, you can apply patching materials, which further ensure a healthy roof for a long time.

We hope these 5 late summer maintenance tips for your roof have been informative. In all these ways, summer can prove potentially damaging for your roofing. And the last thing you want to be doing is roasting in the sun while repairing your roof! Call Chattanooga Roofing Company today at (423) 443-4174.

In the best of conditions, your roof is capable of a decades-long lifespan. However, it’ll only last as long as it should if you maintain it well. For that reason, you need to know what tasks are necessary. And while summer roof care does differ slightly* from care in other seasons, it’s more similar than different. So, how should you maintain your roof in the summer?  Read on to learn more about the tasks you need to do.

How to Maintain Your Roof in the Summer

1. Inspect The Roof and Remove Debris

It sounds simple, but many homeowners forget to do it. Looking over your roof closely is an amazingly helpful and necessary task. And what better time than summer? It’s warm, less rainy, less debris is falling … it’s time to inspect the roof.

• Grab a pair of binoculars and scan the entire roof from the outside. However, if your roof is too high for a close look, there’s no shame in having a professional inspect it.
• Next, get inside the attic and closely inspect your flashing for weak points or gaps.
• Lastly, if you’re able to physically walk on your roof and the pitch is low enough to allow balance, wait for a cool day (so you don’t damage the asphalt shingles) and make a careful inspection, removing all debris you encounter. Use only a soft broom – no rakes allowed!

You’re on the lookout for loose, discolored, and/or damaged shingles. They may indicate a more widespread problem.

2. Clean Out the Gutters

This one just makes sense. If your roof can’t properly get rid of water via the gutter, you’ll end up with damage. Not only to the fascia, but also the outside walls and even the roof itself. Clean out the debris from the gutter so your roof does its job from top to bottom. Alternatively, if you can’t get up on a ladder for any reason, feel free to hire a service pro. This isn’t just how you maintain your roof in the summer – it’s a year-round task.

2. Cut Back Trees and Shrubs

Nothing can damage the edge of your roof quite like a tree limb scraping it. Overgrown or low-hanging foliage is a no-no when it comes to keeping your roof intact. Use the summer months to cut back and trim all the bushes and trees that come anywhere near your roof. You’ll reduce algae growth, moss buildup, and scrape damage. In addition, you’ll reduce the sticks and leaves you need to clean off the roof and out of the gutters.

If your roof needs repair or replacement (and all roofs will eventually), get professional help! Simply call Chattanooga Roofing Company at (423) 799-2173 today.

* Really, the only big difference is temperature. Since heat makes asphalt softer, you should be careful if you need to walk on your roof in the summer. You need to avoid pulling shingles off their nails or scraping off the protective granules.

Your roof just took a heavy beating during the past winter while protecting you and your loved ones from the cold. Below are 5 roofing tips for Spring that will help you prepare your roof.

It’s now your turn to give your roof a little pampering and see how well it weathered the harsh winter season.

Here are some ways to take care of your roof that you can include in your spring cleaning checklist:

5 Roofing Tips for Spring

1. Examine the Shingles

See if there are any shingles that are curling or missing because this is the earliest sign of roof damage. Doing so allows you to spot problems early on and resolve them before they could get worse.

2. Clean Gutters and Downspouts

Since spring is here, water won’t be the only thing falling on your roof. Expect seeds, leaves, and twigs to make an appearance as well. Look out for loose shingle granules as this could also indicate roof damage. Cleaning your gutters and downspouts ensures that water from the rain is drained properly and won’t overflow.

3. Inspect the Attic

The state of your attic is another indicator of roof damage. If you see water stains and sunlight passing through the ceiling or smell mildew odor, you need to investigate further to see what’s causing them.

4. Remove Tree Limbs

They may look innocent enough, but tree limbs can fall and damage certain parts of your home, including the roof.

5. Schedule a Roof Inspection

Aside from checking on the state of your shingles, you also need to inspect other parts of your roof such as gutters and flashing from time to time.

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If the inspection is something you can’t do on your own or if you spot a roofing issue, it’s time to hire a professional roofing contractor who knows what they’re doing. Just give us a call at (423) 799-2173 and we’ll help make your roof ready for spring.