A Homeowner’s Guide To Roof Maintenance
The Essential Fort Worth, TX, Homeowner’s Guide To Roof Maintenance
Stay Up To Speed On Texas Roofing Basics And Get The Best Performance Out Of Your Roof
When it comes to roofing maintenance in Fort Worth, TX, you may know common terms like “shingles” or “flashing,” but you may not understand how they apply to the upkeep of your roof. Learning roof maintenance essentials is crucial to keeping your home in working order.
Knowing roofing maintenance basics can help you spot damage before it becomes more significant, costing you more money and time. Often minor repairs can easily be made if caught in time to prevent further issues. When the damage goes unattended, it may compromise the structural integrity of your roof and home.
Roof maintenance may sound overwhelming, but you can look forward to a long-lasting and reliable roof with just a little energy and patience. At First Texas Roofing, we want our clients to be prepared and empowered with our helpful tips on roof maintenance.
Inspections Don’t Stop With The Professionals
Though it’s always encouraged to get your roof regularly inspected, it’s also essential for homeowners to conduct their own roof inspections at least once a season. Professional roofing inspections look for all the issues you may miss, both major and minor – however, periodic inspections are recommended as well.
Exterior Inspections
Each season brings obstacles to your home’s exterior, especially the roof. Seasonal exterior maintenance includes cleaning your gutters and removing leaves and fallen branches. Also, look for missing shingles, bent flashing, or gutter damage. Any of those issues can easily lead to leaks or more.
Interior Inspections
In your attic, look for any potential leaks penetrating the roof decking or exposed areas. Ensure your attic venting works properly to let your attic breathe and to prevent mold and moisture build-up. It’s also an excellent reminder to check for rodent droppings in your attic, as they may burrow into insulation and cause damage to the interior.
Cut Back Overhanging Tree Limbs
This tip can be costly, as you’ll likely need to hire an arborist, but it’s well worth the cost. Heavy limbs that overhang onto your roof can cause severe damage if they break off and puncture your roof.
Many home insurance companies require your tree limbs to be cut back, and cities ask that you cut any limbs away from power lines, especially if they overhang onto public property. Fallen tree limbs can easily snap electrical lines extending from your roof, potentially becoming a fire hazard.
Keeping your trees well maintained also helps keep your gutters clear and your roof clear of leaves and debris. Broken tree limbs are one of the leading causes of roof damage – trimming them can prevent a lot of trouble and costly repairs.
Regular Washing
Some homeowners power-wash the exterior of their homes each year, and the roof should be no exception. Regular washings help prevent algae or moss growth (which can indicate draining issues) and clean the roof of dirt, leaves, branches, and debris.
Though you can also use a garden hose, soap, gentle bleach, and a scrub brush on the roof, that process is more time-consuming. Power-washing is much easier and more effective, although you should always point downwards, as the power from the machine can easily damage shingles if pointed on the upward slope.
When To Call The Professionals
If you keep up regular roof maintenance, you should only have to call the professionals for a yearly inspection or when you notice roof damage. We recommend annual professional inspections, since an expert knows the small details to look for. They also have better tools for the job than the average homeowner.
Noticeable damage, like missing shingles, leaks, and punctures, almost always needs the help of professional roofing technicians. Texas storms can create quite a mess and cause a lot of damage, so it’s also helpful to call in a professional inspector after a big storm blows through.
If you think you may have attic or bathroom vent problems, calling a professional to properly repair the issue can also help you avoid interior mold and moisture, which can be hazardous to your health.
When Regular Maintenance Isn’t Enough, We’re Here For Your Fort Worth, TX, Roof Repairs Or Replacements
For over 15 years, First Texas Roofing has been helping homeowners in the Fort Worth, TX, area repair and replace their roofs. Our owner is on site for every job, ensuring you the best quality service. Unlike many of our competitors, our company is client-focused, giving you the best products at affordable prices.
Our licensed, bonded, and certified crew works diligently to keep clear communication throughout your project and instill trust. We never use pushy sales techniques, go back on our word, or use other sleazy, dishonest business tactics. Plus, our shingle roofs have a limited lifetime warranty, giving you extra peace of mind.
Call us today at (817) 821-0323 or contact us to set up a free roofing estimate!