The roofing is an important part of a house. Without it, living in the house will be an uncomfortable experience and the structure will be exposed to all sorts of hazards and damage. 

Since the roof itself is an exterior structure, it’s exposed to wear and tear. However, regular maintenance can help enhance the durability of your roofing materials, prevent leaks and costly repairs or an unplanned, costly roof replacement.

Below are five simple maintenance tips to extend the life of your roof. 

Check Your Shingles for Damages

Inspect your roof shingles yearly especially after the harsh weather months. Perform a meticulous check for any damaged or missing shingles and/or roof sealant. Clean them and keep them free from dirt, algae, moss, fungal, and lichen growth that can weaken your roofing. If you find any damaged or missing shingle, you can replace it yourself or consult a professional roofing contractor.

Trim Overhanging Branches

Trees are good, but they can also wreak havoc on roofing structures if they go unchecked. Any tree branch hanging too close to or directly above your roof should be trimmed. Why? When leaves fall and collect on the roof, they rot and weaken your tiles. If this remains unchecked over time, it spells doom and damage to your entire roofing structure.

Clear Debris from Gutters

Clogged gutters are detrimental to roofing structures. They can cause drainage issues, and the water can damage the roof and the support beams. You can imagine the kind of problems that will cause: the expensive kind. Clean your gutters by removing all kinds of debris – twigs, sticks, leaves, bugs, etc. – twice per year in the late fall and early spring. 

Inspect for Corrosion/Rust

Roofing containing metallic parts should be checked regularly for corrosion/rust. If you observe rusting or corrosion on your roofing, you can use a wire brush to remove the rust or call a roofing specialist to fix this issue.

Check Your Chimney

Any cracked or missing mortar on or in your chimney needs to be replaced without delay. Since the mortar holds the chimney bricks in one piece, any damage to it should be fixed on the spot. Remember: should any brick fall out, it could cause serious damage to your roof that would be quite costly to fix. 

Finally, it’s good to have your roof installed properly, adequately insulated and well ventilated. This will prevent the buildup of moisture that can damage and hamper the longevity of your roof.