Your home's roof is a sound and protective barrier to your interior, possessions, and family members from rain, snow, and other types of weather conditions. But without the right care and management of your roof's condition, it will begin to deteriorate as time passes, leaving your home interior at risk of damage from weather. Here are some recommendations for you to make sure your roof remains waterproof and a good protection to your home.
Inspect Your Roof
When your home's existing roof begins to near the end of its useful life, you should begin to keep an eye on its condition. If your roof is made of asphalt shingles, this time period will be anywhere from 15 to 20 years. Other types of shingles can last a bit longer than that, but depending on the types of weather in your area, this time range may be shortened a bit.
Watch the southern slope of your roof for signs of wear and deterioration, as this side of your roof will receive the great amount of UV damage from the sun. The sun's damage will cause the surface of your shingles to deteriorate faster than the shingles on other areas of your roof. So, for example, the northern side of your roof will last a bit longer than the southern side because it is shaded somewhat from the sun. And when you notice any missing shingles or areas where shingles are curled or cracked, hire a roofing professional to replace your roof for a thorough protection and waterproofing to your home.
Protect Against Winter Damage
You should make sure your roof is protected from the snow and ice of winter when you live in a northern climate. Make sure your roof's underlayer includes a snow and ice barrier or other waterproofing membrane. Then, protect your roof against ice dam damage by installing a heat tape along the edges of your roof. This will allow you to melt any ice dam formation so it doesn't grow within the shingle's layers and cause interior damage. Contact a company that offers roof waterproofing services to learn more.
It is also a good idea to clean debris from trees such as leaves and twigs off your roof. If you leave organic materials on your roof for an extended period of time, it can cause rot in your shingles. Then, if there are any trees growing over the top of your roof, trim the branches back to keep them from scratching the surface of your roof. It is best to hire a tree removal professional to safely trim your trees to prevent damage.
