The protection to your home from rain, snow, wind, and other weather conditions depends upon the condition and quality of your roof. A well-maintained roof is going to provide superior protection to your home and the opposite is true of a poorly maintained and conditioned roof. Here are some updates and maintenance you can complete to your roof to keep it in good condition.
Apply Snow and Ice Protection
Your roof and its shingles may be a waterproof barrier against rain, snow, and ice, but when these elements come together upon your roof in a freeze-thaw pattern, it can cause damage. When water seeps below the shingles and freezes to form ice dams on the edge of your roof, this repeated pattern will eventually get down to the roofing deck of your roof and then into the attic space.
Do what you can to prevent ice dam formation on your roof during winter. First, apply a snow and ice barrier under your shingles during installation to protect the lower edges of your roof. Then, if you notice icicles forming on your roof's edge, contact a roofing service company to remove the build-up to minimize moisture damage when it thaws. You can also install a zig-zag heated cord onto the shingles of the overhang of your roof, which will turn on in freezing conditions and melt any ice build-up on the edge of your roof. In the spring and fall, you should clear out your roofing gutters to prevent a build-up of debris, which can cause snowmelt back-ups and ice dam formation.
Maintain Nearby Trees
Another way to keep your roof protected from weather and its related damage is to keep up the maintenance of trees in your yard. The surrounding trees will shed leaves, needles, pine cones, and twigs throughout the year, which can land on your roof and lead to damage. Leaves and other debris that fall upon your roof will hold in excess moisture on the shingles and cause the shingles to rot, prematurely causing damage. Then, if any twigs fall on the roof, their sharp edges can scratch and break off your shingles, leading to interior leaks.
Regularly clean off your roof when it collects tree debris, and be sure to clean out your gutters as well. More trees you have around your home will require you to clean off your roof and gutters more often. Then, trim the trees that hang over your roof to remove branches that are at risk of falling upon the roof. If there are trees in your neighboring yards that deposit debris onto your roof, do your best to keep your roof cleaned of any debris, such as leaves, twigs, and branches.
Follow these tips to protect your roof, then contact a local roofing professional to help repair any damage and destruction that may occur after a storm or other event. Talk to a roofer about repairs or roof waterproofing services.