Many people will tell you that roof damage typically starts the same way: You wake up one day and see a stain on the ceiling from a recent rain that you’ve been ignoring. At first the stain is small, but several weeks later it’s grown large enough for paint to bubble or peel, and now you find yourself having to make very costly repairs to the roof over your head.
Roof problems usually begin very quietly; and most of the time, they are caused by neglected maintenance over time, as well as the accumulation of dirt, algae, debris and moss. This is why you must have a plan in place for regular roof maintenance checklist; it will be your best tool for preventing damage to your property.
In this guide we will help you develop an understanding of how your roof will deteriorate over time, identify the signs that are indicative of serious problems, and understand the importance of having a regular roof maintenance checklist plan to ensure that your roof is cleaned at the appropriate times to minimize the risk of serious damage.
The information contained in this guide will help you learn how maintaining your roof on a regular basis will save you money, reduce the potential for leaks, and allow you to extend the life of your roof.
Why It’s Important To Maintain Your Roof
The most important thing about maintaining your roof is that it keeps your home safe and dry from the elements — rain, snow, wind, etc. Maintaining an adequate roof conserves energy and prevents premature deterioration of quality roofing materials due to neglect or lack of use.
If you don’t maintain your roof yourself, you will for sure lose out on all these advantages when you have to pay for repairs or complete roof replacements due to neglect. So it’s in your best interest to regularly inspect and maintain your roof!
Regularly maintaining your roof will save you money in both short-term repairs, and long-term energy savings as a result of properly maintained, weather, and water-proofed roofs.
Important Indications to Clean Your Roof: Refer to This Roof Maintenance Checklist
By following your regular schedule of inspecting your roof for maintenance, you will easily see these indications.
Moss/Algae Growing – One of the Most Obvious Signs That You Need Roof Maintenance.
Although moss is often seen as harmless, it is on the very very top of every roof maintenance list. The presence of moss or algae will not only hold moisture against the shingles, but they will also come in contact with the roof’s wood decking…
- cause the decking to rot and decay;
- raise the shingles over a period of time; and
- shorten the life expectancy of the roof.
Seeing green or black streaks on your roof immediately places roof cleaning on your maintenance list.
Curling, Cracked or Missing Shingles – A Critical Roof Maintenance Checklist Alert
The condition of damaged shingles is one of the greatest outward signs of required roof maintenance. When shingles are damaged, your roof was originally meant to lay flat and provide a tight seal. The curling, cracking, or missing shingles are early signs of stress to the roof.
In addition to showing the beginning of the failure of your roof, shingle damage typically indicates that there are other major issues. Shingle damage can be caused by:
- The ongoing buildup of dirt/debris that traps moisture against the roof’s surface.
- Poor drainage and excessive moisture standing on top of the roof over a long period of time that over time slowly wears away at the edges of shingles.
- Trapped moisture underneath shingles causing the wood surface to rot and develop mildew and fungus growth.
- The growth of algae/moss that lifts up shingles and breaks the seal on the shingles over time.
Shingles that are curling allow rain to be driven beneath them (wind), and cracked shingles allow moisture to come through to the underlayment, and missing shingles leave the roof completely open.
The best roof maintenance checklist for damaged shingles assumes that shingle damage is a warning sign and not a cosmetic problem. Roof cleaning (to remove dirt, moss and algae) and a professional inspection of the roof should immediately follow damage identified on a roof maintenance checklist. Roof cleaning removes the damage caused by dirt, moss and algae, and a professional inspection will provide information on whether the roofing repairs are minor enough to still allow for the prevention of leaks and structural problems.
Failure to take immediate action for shingle damage identified on a roof maintenance checklist
When you fail to include damaged shingles among the items on your Roof Maintenance Checklist, you may experience:
- Ceiling leaks from within the house
- Wood Rot within the roof decking
- Increased energy costs due to heat escaping
- Costly emergency repairs
Water Stains or Interior Leaks – The Last Indicators of Roof Maintenance Issues
Water stains or discolouration on your ceiling or wall will never just happen randomly; this is usually the last and worst indication that you have neglected your roof maintenance checklist. By the time you see the discoloured stain on the ceiling, moisture has travelled through many different layers of the roof.
Most leaks occur as a result of cumulative problems and are the result of items such as:
Moss accumulations in roof valleys impede water from properly flowing off of the roof.
Shingles that have become dirty or coated in algae no longer repel water properly.
Leaves, twigs, and other debris have plugged up the gutters or downspouts, causing water to back up under the edge of the roof.
Accumulations of leaves, twigs, and other debris which trap moisture and hasten the deterioration of the roof components.
Having a checklist to maintain your roof will help prevent leaks from occurring before they reach your ceiling; therefore, when you see a water stain, the roof has already lost some of its protective barrier and is somewhat exposed to the elements.
When you don’t include leaks on the roof maintenance checklist, it creates an environment conducive to:
- The development of Structural Wood Rot
- The development of Mold/Mildew within the house
- Damage to insulation and drywall
- Increased Risk of Fire and Electric Shock
Therefore, it is critical to include any Water Stains or Interior Leaks as Items of Concern on your Roof Maintenance Checklist. Roof Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning and a Professional Inspection should be performed right away to minimise the chances of further damage and to restore the integrity of your roof.
Accumulated Debris; Blocked Gutters – A Constantly Overlooked Risk Found within the Roof Maintenance Checklist
While leaves, dirt, twigs, and branches do not appear problematic, they actually represent one of the more destructive elements of a roofing environment that can be ignored when developing a roof maintenance checklist. Accumulation of debris creates an opportunity for water on the surface of the roof to accumulate and for the flow of rainwater into your gutters and downspouts to be impeded.
An adequate roof maintenance checklist will have regular inspections of both gutters and accumulated debris; clogged drainage systems will lead to backflowing water beneath shingles and along the edges of your roof. Ultimately, continued wet conditions will eventually lead to deterioration of roof sheathing and other roof-related building components.
If this particular step is omitted from your preventative roof maintenance checklist, it can lead to catastrophic roof issues, including:
1) Roof sag from the pressure of accumulated water and debris;
2) Fascia and soffit damage caused from overflowing water and pooling of water at the edges of your roof;
3) Mold and mildew proliferation resulting from extended exposure to moisture;
4) Structural integrity of the foundation of your building jeopardised from the build-up of moisture from the pooling of water at the edges of your roof.
An effective roof maintenance checklist will treat removing debris and cleaning your gutters as a preventive function rather than an elective function. Frequent maintenance will maintain optimal flow of water away from the roof surface, reduce the amount of moisture damage sustained, and increase the overall life of the roofing system.
The Following are All Signs Your Home Needs a New Roof
Your home has many different kinds of roofs. You need to do regular inspections on your home. Here are five signs of problems with your roof:
- If you see mold growing on your home, you have a moisture problem. This problem can happen over time if you don’t have proper ventilation.
- If your roof has black spots or discoloration on it, there could be algae growing on it. Algae can trap heat on your roof and increase your electricity bill.
- If you see an increase in your cooling bills every year, your roof may have a buildup of dirt and algae blocking heat from escaping.
Building a Preventative Roof Maintenance Checklist (ALL Types) – Residential / Commercial
To help prevent damage to your roof, you need to develop a reliable roof maintenance checklist.
Create a roof maintenance inspection schedule that includes
- At Least 2 Roof Inspections Annually
- Inspection(s) Post Storms
- Pre Monsoon Season Inspections
If you have a commercial roof, you may need to inspect your roof more frequently than residential roofs.
The Difference Between Professional Cleaning and DIY
If you choose DIY roof cleaning, it is possible that your building’s warranty will be voided if they find a defect from poor cleaning techniques. A properly developed roof maintenance checklist includes professional roof cleaning performed by professionals.
The Benefits of Professional Roof Cleaning for Every Roof Type
When a professional cleans your roof, you get:
- Safe Pressure Levels
- Proper Cleaning Solutions
- Long Term Roof Protection
Things to Consider with Your Commercial and Flat Roof Maintenance Checklist
A commercial roof maintenance checklist contains information about:
- Drain Inspections
- Removing Debris on Roof Surfaces
- Check the Sealants and Membranes
A flat roof maintenance checklist checks for things like:
- No Ponding Water (Standing Water) on the Roof
- Membrane Integrity
- Frequent Inspections
If you do not follow a commercial roof maintenance checklist, your roof will fail faster and cost you more to fix.
Conclusion:
Your Roof Is Telling You It is Time for Maintenance
Your roof shows warning signs long before it fails. Moss, leaks, cracks, and stains are things a roof maintenance checklist should never miss.
Doing Roof Maintenance Consistently Will Allow You To:
- Prevent Expensive Repairs
- Increase the Lifespan of Your Roof
- Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Roof
- Eliminate Emergency Repairs (due to avoidable crises).
The key to avoiding issues with your roof is to not wait until it’s too late and to trust your roof maintenance checklist and your roof.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When is the best time to use a Roof Maintenance Checklist?
You should check the roof at least every six months, but some commercial rooftop checklists will tell you to inspect your rooftop more frequently than every six months.
2. What type of items will be found frequently on a Roof Maintenance Checklist?
Moss growth, discolouration, clogged gutters, roof leaks, and increased utility bills are common problems on rooftops.
3. When to clean rooftops in connection with the Roof Maintenance Checklist?
Fall are ideal cleaning month; however, cleaning up immediately when noticing something going wrong is always the best plan.
4. Is a Roof Maintenance Checklist for All Types of Rooftops?
Yes! Professionals create a Roof Maintenance Checklist for tile, shingle, metal, and flat roofs.
5. Does a Flat Roof Require Its Own Roof Maintenance Checklist?
Yes; Flat roof maintenance checklists place special emphasis on the drainage and the build-up of debris.
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