A key piece of advice when it comes to maintaining a shingle roof is to wash it. At some point, your roof will start to look dirty, with long, dark streaks flowing from peak to eave. This is algae growing on your house. Algae won’t cause any immediate damage, but if you leave it long enough it can slowly rot your shingles. To get rid of these little plant-like critters, spray your roof with a 50 percent mix of water and bleach. The bleach will kill the algae fairly quickly, but you’ll also want to install copper strips just beneath your roof’s peak. When it rains, the copper molecules will stream down your roof, killing any algae fixing for a comeback.
First important step is to maintain your roof properly. Remove debris from your roof: Debris such as leaves, small limbs, and sticks can damage your roof and encourage algae growth and even wood rot, so it’s best to remove it. You may want to have your roof cleaned while you’re having your trees trimmed, or just remember to do it each time you clean your gutters using a telescoping pole or a roof leaf rake.
Lets talk about Commercial roofing repair and replacement for flat roofs. There are many things you can do to prolong the life of your roofing material and prevent leaks, additional damage or even the dreaded replacement. By inspecting your roof twice yearly (and after every storm), you can easily prevent some of the top 10 most common roofing problems. Use a pair of binoculars to conduct this twice yearly exam, because even walking on your roof can cause damage. If you must get on the roof, wear rubber-soled shoes, brace the ladder, and be very careful not to slip and fall.
Once the roof has been cleared, the roofer should inspect it for any potential problems or red flags that could spell trouble down the road. He should complete this inspection twice annually (we recommend spring and fall). This will give him the opportunity to make note of anything suspicious, as well as complete small fixes or minor repairs before they turn into big issues. As a roofer, keeping a close eye on your client’s roof will help you become familiar with it, which gives you the advantage of knowing when something has changed – a key factor in catching problems early. Also check for any evidence the ventilation system (intake or exhaust) is malfunctioning or may need maintenance or cleaning. (Some obvious hints may be condensation inside the attic or ice dams.)
Something you can certainly do yourself is to grab a ladder and head up to check to see if there are any signs of shingle damage to your roof. Shingles can see everyday wear and tear, or you might not be aware of something striking your roof if you weren’t at home to hear it, so it’s best to periodically check the condition of them just to be sure. If the shingles are curled, buckled, or simply missing, you’ll want to address the issue right away to prevent any damage from occurring. The attic is a great indication if your roof is holding its own or if it’s time to think about replacing it. If you can see daylight peeking through the boards, if there are water stains that are evident, or noticeably weak shingles, then these issues should be fixed immediately. The attic will also let you know how well your roof is performing after a big storm has hit. See extra details on Roofing services in Colorado Springs.
