Of all parts of your Indianapolis, IN, home, the roof deserves maximum care. It shields you from weather, rain, and other possible dangers to your property. Your home’s roof benefits from regular maintenance and care. Ignoring your roof can result in bigger problems down the line with expensive repairs or premature replacement. These five tips can make a difference and add years to your roof’s lifespan.
1. Regular Roof Inspections
The foundation of any roof includes regular inspections. These should take place at least one to two times per year, ideally during spring and fall. This allows our team to spot any problems that arise quickly. An important time for inspecting your roof is also right after major storms, heavy winds, and hail. All these environmental factors may cause unseen damage though, sometimes, it’s impossible to notice it by inspecting from ground level.
Cracked, curled, or completely missing shingles leave other layers of your roof open to the elements, which may bring about further deterioration and leaks. It’s important to pay special attention to the spaces around chimneys, vents, and skylights since these tend to be the most common spots for leaks. If you find any problems, be sure to call for an inspection and get the issues fixed fast to avoid further damage.
It’s also important to have the inside of your home’s attic checked as part of an overall roof check. Sometimes, issues that have to do with your home’s roof are hidden in the attic, and you can’t see them from the outside of your home. We can check the ceiling or walls for indications of water damage, like stains or discoloration. Also, if you see these signs of leaks, it’s time to call to have the problem assessed. This could be a sign of a roof leak that needs immediate attention.
2. Have Your Home’s Roof and Gutters Cleaned
Over time, leaves, branches, and other items collect on your roof, specifically in the valleys where the sections of your roof come together. Without regular cleaning, these items retain moisture and start to grow algae and moss, among other things. This causes the roof harm by keeping moisture on your roofing materials, causing them to rot or decay.
Regular roof cleaning helps eliminate problems like trapped moisture or shingles that are damaged because you can’t see them from below. Besides the roof’s surface, keeping the gutters clean is also necessary. Gutters filled with leaves and debris block the water from flowing, and it starts backing up, seeping under the shingles, and causing leaks and water damage. Have your home’s gutters cleaned at least twice a year and more often if you have overhanging trees that drop leaves and other rubbish onto your home’s roof. If you see moss or algae, it’s probably time for a professional roof cleaning. We have the equipment and know-how to safely remove these growths without damaging your roof.
3. Act on Repairs Quickly
In roof maintenance, procrastination has a price. Even minor issues, like one missing shingle or some localized damage, can snowball into major problems if they go without repair for too long. Water can also seep into small cracks and gaps, leading to leaks, rot, and structural damage. The more time that passes without repairs, the more time-consuming and costly they are likely to be.
Whether your roof has uninspected damages or storm damage, we can’t overemphasize the importance of immediate care. This could include the replacement of missing or damaged shingles, mending the flashing around chimneys and vents, or sealing the leaks.
We recommend that you have your home’s roof examined annually at minimum, if not twice a year, even if you don’t notice issues. This helps us find minor problems before they become larger and in turn, saves you money. We can also suggest tips specifically for your home’s roof so that your roof stays in good condition between visits.
Some things that require help from our roofers are dark spots on the ceiling in your home. You may also see granules from the shingles on your roof collecting in the gutters around your home. Unexpected drafts coming from or in your attic are another concern to have checked. These signs usually indicate an underlying issue that needs attention right away. Being proactive and addressing these signs early helps you avoid compounded costs and helps your roof stay reliable. The key to a long-lasting roof is consistent maintenance so that it stays as sturdy as possible.
4. Provide Good Ventilation
Proper ventilation is a critical aspect of the health and durability of your home’s roof. If ventilation is not adequate, then heat and moisture collect in the attic and lead to other problems, like warped shingles and ice dams in the winter. These issues could dramatically reduce the lifespan of your roof while creating expensive repairs at the same time.
There should be intake vents and exhaust vents that allow for a constant flow of air in your attic. You may notice intake vents in the soffits while the exhaust vents reside near the ridge or gables of the roof. This system allows hot air to leave the attic and brings in cooler outside air, regulating temperature extremes and excess moisture.
We will make sure your home’s attic has proper ventilation. Insulation, storage, or other forms of obstruction may impede airflow. If you think your attic is unusually hot or humid or if you find that there is damage from moisture, we can come to your home to fix the issue.
A properly insulated roof is the key to its longevity. It serves to balance the temperatures in your attic so that, during the summer, it doesn’t get too hot. During winter in Indianapolis, you won’t experience snow melting and creating ice dams.
5. Take Care of Tree Branches
If you have beautiful, shaded trees in your yard and they are close to your home, there is the opportunity for them to become a significant issue to your home’s roof. If the branches touch or hang over your home’s roof, they may damage shingles or other roofing materials. In addition, leaves and branches may fall on the top of your roof and allow debris to collect. This results in water sitting on your roof long enough for it to cause damage.
Having the trees around your home trimmed further protects the integrity of your roof. Be sure to keep limbs at least 10 feet away from your roof to prevent damage. This distance also allows for less of the tree’s debris to drop on the roof, reducing potential damage from the tree’s branches during a storm or high winds.
At Red Bird Roofing in Indianapolis, we provide roof inspection, repair, and coating services for homes in the area. Our friendly team also provides gutter service, storm damage repairs, and temporary tarping services. Contact Red Bird Roofing for more information or to schedule an appointment today!
