The spring and summer months are a great time to evaluate the condition of your roof. You will likely notice that your roof needs to be spiffed up a bit. Since the roof is so large, it plays a significant role in the impression that people have of your home. Here are some tips to improve a shabby-looking roof.
Get Rid of Debris
A roof that is full of debris, including loose or broken shingles, will always give a bad impression to others whether they’re visiting or happen to see your home while passing by. They certainly won’t know that underneath your roof’s debris collection, there is a lovely roof that deserves to be seen.
It is possible for you to safely remove leaves and excess debris from your roof yourself after a storm, so long as you’re sure about what you’re doing. Start by cleaning your gutters. If you see that there is a lot of dirt and debris or signs of possible damage inside of them, consider leaving the job to a professional roof cleaning service. If you don’t know what you are doing, climbing on your roof can damage shingles and create safety risks, for you and the roof.
Ditch the Mildew and Algae
Rooftops in warm weather climates can quickly become home to things like mildew and dark algae. This is especially a more likely problem if your roof is older or hasn’t been inspected in a while. Not only do algae and mildew make your roof look unattractive, but they can also damage the structural integrity of your roof by making it a slippery area dangerous to walk on, making maintenance in general difficult, or allowing the roots to grow under the shingles and tear them from where they’d been nailed down. You can gently remove algae and mildew using a bleach and water solution. Talk to a roofing professional about copper or zinc installations to help keep both away.
Repair the Edges and Eaves
When people visit your home, they will immediately see the eaves and edges of your roof. When giving your roof a facelift, think about the appearance of these edges. Are your shingle edges uneven or frayed? Are your eaves full of paint that is flaking off? If so, it’s time for some maintenance. Everything about the edges of your roof should look straight and sharp. Nothing should be out of place or crooked.
Roof Repair
If your shingles are cracked, disintegrating, torn, missing, or folded, you may want to talk to a roof repair professional about a shingle replacement project. The nicer your shingles look and the more uniform their color is, the better your entire home will appear. However, the need to fix your shingles isn’t purely cosmetic, as your shingles are a big preventer of attic leaks and further structural damage to your home overall. Roof leaks are a great way for water to get inside your house, letting water damage seep all the way from your walls to the foundation if left unattended for long enough.
The roof is one of your home’s biggest defences against the elements. There is a reason why they refer to your home as a “roof over your head.” Protect your roof with proper maintenance and repairs if it starts to look or become rundown, and in return, it will protect you and those you love from the elements and anything else nature can think of to throw your way.