Do you have a roof made of asphalt shingles? Roof maintenance is probably not at the top of your list of priorities. Asphalt shingles do get damaged and worn down by debris and weather, and all roofs need to be inspected from time to time.

Lets take a look at some of the basics of checking up on and conducting small-scale repairs to your asphalt shingle roof.

When checking your roof for maintenance issues one of the first things youll want to do in any roof maintenance job is to clear your roof of debris. This may consist of leaves, trash and excessive dirt. Check for anything else that might get in the way or soak up water and quicken the damage to your roof. Asphalt roofs take extra damage from water deterioration, and should be cleared of debris as often as is possible.

Is your roof collecting moss or algae? It should be cleared by installing zinc or lead control strips. Flashings should be checked for damage and holes. Replace if necessary. If there are loose shingle tabs, a dab or so of roofing cement on either side of the tab should fasten it. If there are damaged shingles, they should be replaced.

Asphalt shingles roof maintenance also generally consists of checking gutters for debris and clearing them out. Then test the downspouts by pouring water into them. Any trees that have branches hanging over the roof should be trimmed back to minimize debris. The open valley metal should be checked for rust and any rust cleaned off with a wire brush, then primed and painted.

Caulking and sealants should be checked for cracking or other damage, and replaced if they are. Mortar on chimneys and parapets should be checked for weather damage as well, although repairing a chimney may be a job for a professional mason.

Keeping in mind these basic steps for asphalt shingles roof maintenance will help you keep your home free of leaks and your roof looking nice and functioning well. The best way to catch roof damage is while its still on your roof, before it gets into your home and causes more severe problems like leaking or indoor mold growth.

You may think that roof maintenance should be left to professionals. However, anyone can inspect and maintain their roof with a little bit of know-how and elbow grease. We invite you to our website to find local contractors and more info about roofing systems.

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