How to maintain a roof?

Follow a general inspection at regular intervals

A regular inspection before the onset of winter and monsoon will help in identifying the areas that need repair. Check the ceiling, metallic parts that are prone to rust, and a general examination to trace leakage, or damage. This will help you in taking the required action.

Keep the gutter clean and fix the damage

To protect the roof from extra weight, keep the drain pipe clog-free, remove the pipe, and clean the debris for the free flow of the water. Clean it before the monsoon and ensure that the water is draining without any difficulty. Keeping the gutter in good shape is required as overflowing of water after a flush or other issues can damage the floor and gutter pipeline that would ultimately adversely affect the roof.

Moss removal

You may find moss patches harmless, but moss can damage asphalt and wood. The growth of moss on roof shingles allows water to seep in that later causes dampness in the shingles and makes the roof vulnerable. To clean the moss, scrub the roof shingles regularly or one can use moss cleaner available in the market. Installing a zinc or copper-coated sheet on either side of the roof is also useful.

Remove leaves

If you live in areas that have trees then falling tree leaves can also pose a threat to the roof. The dry leaf may clog the roof so it is suggested to remove dry leaves weekly and safely discard them so that they cannot get back to the roof.

Protect the roof from ice dam

The pile of ice stored in the corner of the roof can damage the roof and inside of the house. If you live in a snow prone area then it is suggested to remove the snow hump from the roof. If the ice chunks are hard to break then one can use calcium chloride to melt the ice and remove them safely.