As a new homeowner, one of the best ways you can maintain and protect your residence is to keep up with roof maintenance. Doing so avoids untimely, expensive roof repairs and replacements that cause headaches when you should be enjoying your new home. Here are a few tips to help maintain your roof.

4 Roofing System Maintenance Tips New Homeowners Need To Know

1. Trim Tree & Tall Shrub Branches

Keep tree and tall shrub branches trimmed back, so they don’t rub against your roofing shingles and cause premature wear. Trimmed trees and shrubs also help avoid roof damage after severe storms and eliminate insect and vermin pathways to your home.

2. Clean the Gutters Often

Clean your gutters every fall and spring—or more often if you live in a heavily wooded area. Regular cleaning prevents clogs that cause rainwater to back up under the roofing shingles, creating leaks and mold and mildew formation. Debris-free gutters also prevent rainwater from pooling around your home’s foundation and causing basement leaks and other damages.

3. Install Insulation

Install insulation in your attic or check on the existing insulation to prevent ice dam formation, which is when snow melts and refreezes along the edge of your roof and causes shingle damage and leaks. Even if snow is not heavy in your region, insulation still contributes to a more comfortable, energy-efficient residence.

4. Check For Damage After Every Storm

Observe your roofing system for damage, such as missing and broken shingles, after every storm. Look around the perimeter of your home for shingle bits and schedule roof repairs to avoid leaks and other problems. Also, check the gutters to make sure they are still connected to the house and disposing of rainwater effectively.

If it’s been some time since your last inspection, contact the roofing contractors at DC Roofing Inc. to enjoy reliable, expert services. The company provides St. Croix County, WI, with residential and commercial roof repairs and replacements, as well as installations and emergency services. Call the Owens Corning^®-preferred contractors today at (715) 377-6714 to schedule roof repairs, or visit the team online to learn more about their services.