Smart Roof Maintenance Checklist For Indiana Residents

As regular as it may seem, the roof is one of the most critical parts of your home. It doesn’t only protect you from sunlight and precipitation; it does so much more.

Roofs help to maintain room temperature in winter and summer, provide insulation, and direct water from your foundation. As such, it’s important to maintain your roof’s health because, if compromised, the home and dwellers may suffer.

Roof Maintenance Checklist

So here is a simple roof maintenance checklist every homeowner should note.

#1 Inspect your roof

The first step to maintaining your roof is to check the shingles as frequently as possible. If you have a ladder, you can climb up every month to look around for:

• Missing shingles
• Broken/chipped shingles
• Curled shingles
• Peeling flashing
• Anything that looks out of place.

It’s advisable to check up on your roof after heavy storms and winds that sometimes occur in Indiana. That’s because heavy flying materials hitting against your roof can cause leaks, and shingles can pull out.

You don’t have to climb a ladder if you have a pair of binoculars as you could stand from a distance and have a clear view of each shingle.

#2 Clear your gutters

Gutter clearing is arguably the most vital roof maintenance tip for every homeowner. A clogged gutter can cause a myriad of harm.

Clogged roof gutters do not allow snow to drain during winter, so ice accumulates, melts, and soaks up the roof. Trapped water can rot wooden fascia boards, allowing water into your home.

Properly functioning gutters are supposed to direct rainwater away from your home. Conversely, clogged gutters allow water to spill over the sides, along your walls, and down into your foundation, leading to cracks.

Ensure you clear debris from your gutters regularly, especially in spring and late autumn. Remove ice dams regularly in winter.

#3 Look around your attic

One roof maintenance tip you shouldn’t miss out on is attic inspection. The condition of your attic will tell you a lot about your roof’s health.

Mold growth and water stains along the wall are two tell-tale signs that your roof is in trouble. Consider calling a professional dealing in residential roofs in Indiana to assess the situation and recommend the next steps. It may be a leaking roof that needs spot treatment or a replacement. Allowing the issue to go unchecked can put your home at risk.

#4 Trim overhanging branches

If you have tall trees around your home, it’s best to trim those branches hanging above your home. That’s because branches and leaves can fall on your roof and clog the gutters. There’s also the risk of damage during Indiana storms.

If you also have heavy vegetation such as shrubs, ensure you trim and dispose of dead leaves so that the wind doesn’t lift and stack them on your shingles.

#5 Finally… Consider professional inspection

You’re probably wondering why you should hire a professional to inspect your roof when you already have a checklist. Well, there are things you may miss that only professional eyes can spot.

It would be wise to get a professional inspection once or twice a year to ensure optimal roof health and save cost on repairing damages that have progressed for far too long.