A roof is an investment, but you don't want poor maintenance to force you to replace it before the end of its expected service life. Fortunately, there are several maintenance tasks you can do to protect your roof and prolong its useful life.

1. Moss Removal

Moss may look pretty up on the roof, but your roof's lifespan may be reduced if you ignore the presence of this green carpet.

Why It's Necessary

Although moss has no roots to penetrate a shingle, it requires removal regardless. Moss traps moisture on the roof, which can degrade the shingles and lead to leaks. Shingles that are always damp can begin to curl and lift up.

Further, as moss spreads it often works beneath the shingles. Once the moss lifts a shingle, water can flow underneath it easily.

How to Do It

A thorough roof cleaning will remove the moss. A special moss cleaner can be used or a 50 percent bleach solution, just keep in mind that bleach runoff can harm the landscaping below.

Once the moss is gone, prevent it from returning with zinc strips. A professional can place them underneath the row of shingles just beneath the peak of your roof. The zinc will slowly leach out and coat the roof below, preventing any moss or algae from growing. The zinc itself won't change the appearance of your roof.

2. Regular Inspections

Many roof issues start small, so you may not notice a problem in the early stages unless you look for it.

Why It's Necessary

A professional can repair a single torn shingle with minimal cost, but if moisture leaks into the attic, you will end up with expensive water damage. By the time you notice a problem with the roof from inside the home, typically in the form of a leak, extensive damage may have already occurred to the roof. An inspection could have helped you to avoid the problem.

How to Do It

Perform your own inspections monthly and after severe storms. There is no need to get up on the roof for a homeowner's roof inspection, as you can do it from the ground or the top of a ladder. Look for damaged or missing shingles, damaged flashing and caulking, and debris on the roof. Call in a professional if you spot a potential problem.

Roofs over 10 years old benefit from a professional inspection. A professional can do a depth inspection on the shingles and the internal structural parts of the roof, which are harder to assess on your own.

3. Gutter Maintenance

The gutters do the heavy work of managing roof run-off so the water doesn't damage the roof, foundation, or the landscaping around your home.

Why It's Necessary

Your gutter moves water away from the eaves of the roof and deposits it where it won't damage landscaping or the foundation. But with clogged gutters, water runs down the fascia, soffits, and siding on your home, which can lead to water damage.

Clogged gutters can also result in drainage backups. In cold weather, this can mean ice dams and roof leaks. When water backflows back up the roof due to a clogged gutter, the water can go beneath the shingles. This can result in some water damage in warm weather, but in the cold the backflow may freeze under the shingle and cause even more severe leakage once it thaws.

How to Do It

A good rule of thumb is to clean the gutters twice a year - once in spring and again in fall. But if your landscaping includes a lot of trees, you may need to do quarterly cleaning.

Scoop the debris out of the gutter, and then rinse out the gutters and downspouts with your garden hose. Finally, look for any leaks or damage to the gutters. If you find issues, schedule a repair.

Contact Rain-Flow Systems, LLC, for more help with your roof or gutter issues.