Your roof protects your home from moisture, and it’s crucial to keep up with routine maintenance. This prevents minor problems from escalating into significant damage.

Look for shingles that are sagging or cracked and rusty or damaged flashing around chimneys and dormers. A roof inspector from Corpus Christi Roofing Co can help you repair this.

Shingles are a decorative, sturdy, and functional component of your roof that provides an attractive shelter from the elements. Whether you have a wood, asphalt or metal shingle roof, it needs to be properly maintained in order to provide you with years of protection. Regular roof inspections, debris removal and trimming trees are important to maintaining a healthy shingle roof.

When shingles become worn or damaged, they need to be repaired immediately. Leaving small damage to worsen can cost you more in the long run. It is much cheaper to make a minor repair than it is to replace an entire section of your roof or the entire shingle system.

During your visual inspection of the shingles, look for cracks or breaks that need to be repaired. In addition, check the shingles to see that they are not curling up at the edges. A curved shingle is more likely to be ripped off by the wind than a flat shingle. You should also inspect the areas where two different roof faces meet. This is known as the valley and is where most of the water travels off your roof. We install valley metal in these areas to protect the shingles from moisture and prevent leaks.

Make sure that the gutters are clean and directing water away from the roof and house. Clogged gutters can cause leakage, encourage mold and mildew growth, and obstruct the flow of rainwater. Additionally, check the seals around any vents or skylights to ensure that they are in good condition.

Lastly, be sure to wear comfortable shoes when walking on your roof. If you have a composite shingle roof, walking on it without proper footwear can cause the granules to come loose. Loose granules are a dangerous slip hazard and can fall off the roof onto your feet or onto people below you. In addition, stepping on the bare parts of the roof will cause it to break apart.

Clean the Gutters

Gutters are a vital part of your home, directing rainwater away from the foundation. But they can easily become clogged with leaves, twigs and other debris, making them less effective. That’s why it’s important to clean your gutters regularly as a part of your roofing maintenance.

You can do this yourself by standing on a ladder and using a garden hose to clear out the debris. You can also use a snake or drain auger to remove more stubborn blockages. Make sure you wear a pair of work gloves when cleaning your gutters; they’re usually made of sharp materials that can cut or scratch you. It’s also a good idea to have someone else help you if you plan on working from a ladder or roof, especially if your gutters are particularly high up.

It’s best to clean your gutters at least twice a year. Once in the fall and once in the spring, when most of the leaves have fallen and before summer storms hit. This will keep them functioning properly and help you catch any problems before they get worse.

When debris builds up in your gutters, it prevents water from flowing correctly and can cause overflows. It also keeps your gutters from drying out completely, which can lead to the growth of toxic mold/mildew. The spores can permeate through your roofing tiles and cause structural damage to your house.

Another problem with clogged gutters is that they make it easier for ice dams to form during winter. These ice dams can cause water to leak under your roof, which can cause costly damage and even rot the timber behind your walls. Gutters that are blocked with twigs, leaves and other debris can also become the breeding ground for birds and rodents.

Gutter guards or screens can help to prevent debris from clogging your gutters, but they still need to be cleaned regularly. Regular visual inspections of your gutters and downspouts are also essential for ensuring that they’re functioning properly. You can reduce the frequency of your gutter cleaning by trimming trees that are near your home and installing gutter covers.

Trim the Trees

Trees add beauty and value to a home, but they are a major risk to a roof if not properly managed. At Gunner Roofing, we help our clients protect their roofs with regular trimming and adhering to best practices for tree maintenance.

Overhanging tree branches are a primary source of debris falling on the roof and clogging gutters. The accumulating leaves, pine needles, and twigs prevent rainwater from properly running off the roof, which can lead to leaks and the deterioration of asphalt shingles and non-synthetic underlayments. Regular trimming keeps a variety of natural debris from accumulating on your roof, and it also reduces the chances that birds or other animals will use them as nesting sites.

Keeping nearby trees trimmed is also an important step in protecting your roof from pests. Overhanging branches provide easy pathways for critters like squirrels and raccoons to access your roof, where they can cause damage or chew holes in the shingles. Regular tree trimming limits these entry points and helps keep pests from causing expensive roofing repairs or infestations.

Trimming can also improve the look of your home, especially if your roof is visible from the street or other surrounding properties. It’s an effective way to boost curb appeal and increase the likelihood that potential buyers will be interested in your property.

There are many ways to prune a tree, and the best one for your particular situation depends on the type of tree and its condition. In general, we recommend a light pruning, which removes dead or damaged branches and reduces the overall weight of the tree. This can be done by yourself or with the help of a professional.

In more severe cases, we may suggest a crown reduction, which is the practice of reducing the density of a tree to reduce stress on specific limbs and promote new growth. This is typically done on older and mature trees, and it can have a positive impact on the health of your roof as well as your entire property.

When trimming a tree, it’s important to be careful not to cut too much of the trunk, as this can cause serious damage or even death. The ideal cut is one that leaves the branch tip no more than six to ten feet from your roof. This will allow the branch to sway in the wind without touching or damaging your roof, and it will also prevent it from falling during storms and causing damage.

Schedule a Roof Inspection

Roofing inspections are an essential component of any roof maintenance plan. They allow professional roofers to assess the condition of a roof and determine what repairs, if any, are needed. Regular inspections can help prevent leaks, structural damage to the building, and mold and fungus growth in ceilings and interior walls. They also ensure that proper ventilation is maintained. Without it, heat and moisture can cause deterioration of roofing materials and lead to rot in wood trim and soffit boards.

A thorough roofing inspection should include a material inspection, structural inspection, interior inspection, and workmanship inspection. The inspector will look for missing, curled, or torn shingles; stains; moss, and fungus; loose fasteners; and exposed or cracked sheathing. Inspectors will examine fascia boards and soffit boards that run along the edge of a roof; these are often exposed to weathering, water damage, and pest infestation. They will also check the condition of eaves, gutter systems, and chimney caps. Inspectors will also evaluate the condition of masonry chimneys to make sure that they are in good repair and that they are not blocking venting in the attic.

If a roof has been subjected to harsh weather conditions, such as severe winds or hail, the inspection should include a structural assessment. Dented or broken shingles, compromised structural integrity, and other signs of damage should be noted and repaired immediately to minimize damage and to avoid costly replacement.

Workmanship inspections examine the quality of a roof installation and any subsequent repairs. This includes looking for rust or gaps in the flashing that lines penetrations, such as skylights and chimneys, that can lead to leaks. Inspectors will also look for signs of improper ventilation in attics, which can cause rot and other problems.

Homeowners should schedule an inspection in spring and summer, when the weather is mild. This is the best time to identify roof damage and to take care of any necessary repairs before the winter snow flies. It is also a good idea to have a roof inspection before purchasing a home, so the new owner can be aware of any potential roof problems and have them repaired.