A home’s most valuable asset is its roof, especially in Brevard County. Roofs are designed to weather all kinds of storms, but of course, there will be wear and tear over time. Your house won’t be able to protect you and your loved ones without a strong structure supporting it. Don’t leave yourself unprotected! These are some helpful tips on how to protect your roof:
Trim Your Trees
Trees pose different risks to homes over time, especially if not cared for properly. If you have a tree branch that extends over your roof or even your property line onto others’ properties (as many shade trees do), strong winds may break off their hardwood branches. These branches will drop directly onto houses during stormy weather – damaging them quite seriously without warning!
Lesson: Don’t neglect your trees! The best time to trim a tree is when it’s young and can still grow into its final form. By trimming off excess branches, you will be able to limit the amount of damage caused by storms or other factors over time that could cause them to die out entirely. Additionally, in the winter months, removing deadwood and using it for heating purposes will also save on energy and keep our planet green!
Clean Your Gutters
Your home’s gutter system is a vital part of how it functions, especially if you have ever dealt with water damage or flooding in the past! Gutters catch rainwater so that it can run through an absorbent material before draining off. Tree leaves and twigs could accumulate inside your roof’s rain gutter system, clogging it up with dirt that cannot flow downstream; this would eventually lead to water damage throughout the house, such as leaks between slates on roofs if left unchecked. Be sure never neglect to clean these regularly because neglect may lead to higher health risks.
Check Your Roof Regularly
While a roof is a vital part of any home, it is also a big responsibility, and it’s easy for things to get overlooked. With your house taking on everything Mother Nature throws at it, you shouldn’t be surprised if some time inevitably leads to cracks and breaks appearing in this most important asset – the shingle! It could be that one of your shingles has started curling up at the edges or cracking in some other way, but that leaves parts of your roof vulnerable. Aerial drones are becoming increasingly popular for ensuring coverage beyond human sightlines and giving homeowners an edge when repairing their property themselves (or hiring licensed contractors). A twice-a-year inspection will help make sure any issues with shingles and/or roofs themselves can quickly get taken care of before they become worse.
Monitor Moss
Moss is a beautiful, natural addition to any roof. However, if it is left unchecked, it can cause damage to roofs of all types, such as wood, concrete, and asphalt. Moss loves to grow in tight spaces, so you will most likely find it hiding between your shingles. It starts as tiny threads that grow between shingles to bulk up over time before lifting them off their supports, resulting in rot from moisture seeping through cracks. Because moss is a type of plant that thrives in damp, shady conditions, moss is an inviting target for wood rot, so be sure to keep a close eye on it!
Insulate/Ventilate Your Roof
A properly insulated and ventilated roof is less likely to be at the mercy of excess moisture, leading to rot. You might be surprised to learn that an attic can “sweat”! The warm air rises, cold air accumulates inside plywood and creates condensation, which inevitably leads to mold growth or rotting effects on the wood. Ensure vents allow for proper circulation; too much will cause excessive humidity & poor indoor air quality, while not enough could result in moisture buildup due to high temperatures up there (and more). Especially in Florida, if there isn’t enough balanced airflow, hot air has nowhere to go and will become even more unbearable with a relentless sun beating down on it during these months of high temperatures. A properly ventilated structure also saves you money on electricity bills since an AC unit does not have as much work cut out for itself, keeping cool all day long!
Caulk the Flashings
Flashings are strips of metal made of galvanized metal, aluminum, or lead. You can find them running along the edge or joints of your roof. Flashings can divert rainwater away from vulnerable areas that perhaps shingles can’t cover. An example of this is roof penetrations where kitchen and bathroom pipes/vents extend through the roof’s surface. As flashings protect our home from leaks, they can lift, crack, rust, or in some circumstances, separate altogether. The best way to protect them? Calking! Seal up any unstuck sections with caulking, so you don’t have leakage problems later on down the road.