Happy Tuesday!
Todays' home maintenance tip is timely, especially with the high rate of insurance premiums and early cancellation of policies by insurance companies...
MAINTAIN YOUR ROOF!
It's fairly easy to take care of your roof. Perhaps the easiest thing you can do is keep debris from accumulating on top of your home. You'll need a ladder and someone who isn't afraid of heights. You can usually clear the gutters from the ground, but if you have pine trees or other trees in your yard, you'll need someone to get high enough to remove the debris. Debris can accumulate in the valleys of the roof and cause rain water to seep into the crevices and create a leak.
The first photo is a pic I took this Spring while showing homes in a nearby neighborhood. This roof is a disaster waiting to happen! I'd honestly be afraid to look at the condition of the shingles.
My son is the star of the second pic. He came over (at my request) to clear the pine straw out of the valley of my roof a few years ago, and I snapped his pic. While he was there, he reached some of the areas in the gutters that I couldn't access from the ground.
Another issue with roofs is the build-up of algae and mildew. You can hire a professional to gently wash your roof, or you can attempt to do it yourself. There are numerous YouTube videos you can watch if you have questions.
If you have trees planted near your home, keep the limbs trimmed so they do not rub against your roof or fascia. This will help protect your roof from unnecessary damage.
Proper roof ventilation is important. I've attended home inspections where the ventilation in the attic was insufficient. Besides making the attic temperature intolerable, the heat caused irreparable damage to the shingles, causing them to degrade sooner than their natural life span.
Keep an eye on your roof. If you have a few missing shingles, have them replaced before they cause a problem. If you have experienced a hail storm or wind damage, have your roof checked to prevent any future concerns.
I am a Realtor; not a roofer, so always contact a professional. I have learned these tips through years of practical experience as a Realtor, and thought you would find them helpful.
Stay tuned for the next Tuesday's Tip!
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