Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a roof maintenance checklist to use to ensure you do everything you need for your roofing system? Well, you’re in luck! Compiled here is a complete rundown of all the tasks homeowners should do to keep the structural integrity of roofs intact. Make sure to follow through with each listing to guarantee the reliability, durability, and longevity of your roof.

Start with a Great Roof Material

The first item on your roof maintenance checklist to use should be starting with good roofing material. Some roofing materials are better than others, so you want to know ahead of time what you’re getting. You can expect to get what you pay for. The more expensive the material, the longer the life expectancy. Also, if you pay a little more upfront, you can expect less maintenance and repairs as time passes.

For example, a traditional asphalt shingle roof is on the lower expense side and will last 25 years. It will need routine maintenance and repairs. But, metal roofing, which costs a bit more, will last 50 years with little to no maintenance or repairs necessary during that period. So, if you want a roof that you don’t have to work on all the time, you might want to spend a little more upfront.

Hire a Local Roofing Company

Whatever you’re looking at on your roof maintenance checklist to use, it’s always a good idea to hire local roofing companies. The only reason isn’t that you want to support your community, although that’s a good one. Local companies are more likely to provide you with higher-quality roofing services because they have to live and work in the area, and they don’t want to get a bad reputation. If it’s a local contractor that does shoddy work, it won’t take long for word to get around, and that particular company will likely tank.

On the other hand, if a contractor does an exceptional job, is respectful to their customers, and charges a fair price, you’ll hear about that too. Ask your friends and family members for recommendations. People will be thrilled to tell you about their pleasant and not-so-nice experiences with the roofers in your region.

Another thing about local roofing companies is that most of them offer some sort of warranty or protection on the work they’ve completed. That way, if something goes wrong, you will be able to call them up and have them come back over to assist you with the issue. Be aware that it’s not the case for every roofing company, so make sure you ask about what they cover and what isn’t before signing any contracts or paying any bills.

Don’t Wait to Get Repairs Done

This item on your roof maintenance checklist to use is one you don’t want to skip! Storms, age, and wear and tear can cause damage to your roof system at any moment. You can’t predict it. However, what you can do is act. Whenever your roof has suffered damage, including losing shingles, excessive loss of granules, or problems with any of the other features, the entire stability of the structure is at risk. One weak spot will cause the entire roof to decrease in durability and reliability.

Some clear indications that you need to call a professional to assist you with your problem include water leaking into the home, shingles that are gone or damaged, curled shingles, daylight shining through to the home’s interior through the roof, or excessive moss or mildew growth. Why do you want to get your roof repairs done right away? Because of the inevitable. What happens when you wait to pay attention to what’s happening right in front of you/ That’s right, it’s going to get worse!

Simple roof repairs can usually be completed fairly quickly. In addition, they are more affordable. When you wait for roof repairs instead of putting the repair on your roof maintenance checklist to use, the problems get worse, and the bill gets larger. So, the obvious answer here is to call and get a qualified roofer to at least start with a roof inspection if you suspect a problem. If the roofing company you select is honest and reputable, they will give you honest and fair answers. Make sure you arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible about roofing systems. There are some contractors out there who will take advantage of unsuspecting owners. It’s advisable to get at least 3 inspections if you don’t have a roofer that you trust already.

Keep Your Gutters Clean

Did you know that most professional roofers do more than just roofing? A lot of them have the tools and equipment already, so they will spread out into other necessary services like gutter cleaning. Does your home have gutters? If they’re not kept clean, you could be in trouble. The purpose of your gutter system is to have a route for water to travel through. The objective is to get the water from the roof down, out, and away from the home’s foundation. If you’re unfamiliar, water is the number one enemy to the foundation of any building. If it’s left sitting, it will start leaking into basements and crawl spaces at any given time. That’s why having your gutters cleaned at least once, preferably twice a year, is the professional recommendation.

What gets in your gutters will inhibit the water from moving, and it may shock you with what’s in there. Leaves, twigs, branches, and other debris are common. However, sometimes pests will make your gutters their home, and you may find nests and large collections of food when you finally go up and take a peek. These are harder to remove, and that’s why you should call a qualified team that has what’s needed to carefully and meticulously clean your gutters out when it’s time.

Of course, along with the foundation, water on the roof with nowhere to go will create massive problems, headaches, and repair bills for the unknown property owner. If you’ve noticed that there isn’t water coming through your gutters when it rains, you have to assume it’s stuck somewhere on the roof. By scheduling regular gutter cleanings as part of your roof maintenance checklist to use, you won’t have to worry about roof damage from water so frequently.

Get a Replacement As Soon As You Need It

Many homeowners will ignore the fact that they need a roof replacement because of the cost. Any residential roofing service, including roof installations, is an investment and something that shouldn’t be left for too long. As soon as your roof has passed its life expectancy, you need to start planning.

Are you unsure how long your roof is supposed to last or how old it is? Call a pro when going through your roof maintenance checklist to use. A roofing contractor inspects your roof, and they will be able to tell you how old it is and how long it’s supposed to last based on the material type.

Get Moss Removed

Before you find yourself searching for siding and roofing near me, include getting the moss removed from your roof to your roof maintenance checklist to use. Moss will grow on a roof through the collection of moisture and debris. The more moisture and contaminants your roof is in contact with, the faster and more widespread the moss growth will be. While it seems harmless to look at the surface, moss can cause major issues with your entire roofing structure. The most beneficial thing you can do is call roofing contractors and have them come and remove the moss routinely before damage occurs or it can get too far out of control.

Eventually, if you leave the moss to grow, it will cause bacteria to grow, rot, and, eventually, the roof to decay. It’s not something that you should worry about health-wise. However, you will be replacing your roof a lot sooner than you would have if the moss were cleared away properly.

Most roofing companies have specific methods, cleaning agents, and chemicals that will safely and effectively remove the moss and prevent it from growing back, at least as quickly. Don’t try to do this yourself. It’s dangerous, and if you don’t effectively get all the moss, it will start multiplying again as soon as you get off the ladder.

Get a Routine Roof Inspection

Perhaps the most important thing on the roof maintenance checklist to use is getting routine roof inspections. Some roofing companies will come and do this for free if you think you may need to utilize their services. However, if you’re checking up on things, you can expect to pay a small fee. Get a GAF Master Elite certified roofer to do the job. These guys are the best of the best, and you can rest assured they won’t leave anything behind. They pay attention to the details and provide an outline of their findings.

What the roofing professionals are looking for during the inspection are minor damage or issues that can be repaired before they become much larger and more expensive projects. In addition, if your roof has reached its life expectancy, a reputable roofer will inform you during the inspection that it’s time for something new. As long as you trust them, there’s already an expert on-site ready to help you with the complex process of roof replacement.

Schedule Essential Maintenance on Your Roof Regularly

Roofing companies are all around eager to help you with your roof maintenance checklist to use. It’s up to you to decide which is the best one for you. Some contractors don’t show up on time, use poor quality materials, and others will take your money and completely disappear. Those are the nightmare stories you’ve probably heard from friends and family members. While it makes you a bit apprehensive about the idea of hiring a roofer, it’s necessary if you want to hold up the quality condition your roof is in for as long as possible.

So, how do you find a roofing company that you can trust? It’s up to you to do your research. There’s another checklist you need to have in front of you when it comes time to hire an expert, and that’s a list of questions that should be answered about the companies you’re looking at. It’s your responsibility as a property owner to determine which ones are reputable and which roofing businesses aren’t right for you.

The questions requiring answers include how many years they’ve been in business, if they’re licensed and insured, any guarantees or warranties offered, the types of roofing materials, equipment, and methods they use, a timeframe for completion, and what the cost is for what service you need to be completed. Have an idea of what you expect, and ensure that the roofing crew you’re interviewing can uphold those standards. It’s a good time during an initial consultation to see what your comfort level is with the contractor or team that will be working on your team. People often get bad vibes or feel uncomfortable with the person they’re talking to. If that happens to you, it’s better to happen before you agree to any products or services. You don’t want to get stuck with a roofer you don’t like!

As long as you take advantage of this roof maintenance checklist to use, you should be able to enjoy the look, functionality, and stability of your roof for as long as the system remains on your property. It’s common to completely ignore what’s happening on your roof until something goes wrong. However, if you follow the proper maintenance guidelines, you won’t find yourself replacing your roof too soon. Get the most out of your roof and structure by taking care of it, and your initial investment will pay you back over the course of time when you’re living in your dream home.