With the right care, your roof can last for decades. However, a lifespan that impressive takes a bit of initiative on your part. If you don’t know how to care for a roof, you could be missing early opportunities to fix damage and avoid more extensive repairs in the future. The tips below will help you spot both major and minor problems in time to call a roofing contractor.

Do

Visually inspect your roof.

At least twice a year, look at your roof from the ground. Are any shingles warped, cracked, or missing? Small areas can be patched easily, but if the problems spread too far, they may become more difficult and expensive to fix. You should also look for wide swaths of moss and lichens, which may signal a rotting underlayment. Keep an eye out for cracked rubber seals around vents, as these may lead to leakage. Contact a roofing contractor if you notice anything out of the ordinary during your inspections or if you’d like them to take a closer look.

Keep trees trimmed.

This proactive step doesn’t just make your gutter cleanings easier; it also protects your roof from falling limbs. Low-hanging branches can scrape protective granules off the shingles, and dead limbs could fall, damaging your roof and letting rainwater in. Have a tree company handle the trimming to prevent limbs from falling on the roof as they’re cut.

Don’t

Neglect gutter cleanings.

Gutters protect your home’s roof and foundation, but it can be easy to overlook a clog. To reduce the likelihood of jammed downspouts and problematic leaks, have your gutters cleaned before and after winter. This will remove dirt, leaves, and other debris that may jam together to cause issues.

Ignore small problems.

The idea of calling a roofing contractor to assess a problem may feel intimidating. You don’t want to hear that the problem is worse than you thought. However, you have nothing to lose by taking action when you spot an issue. In fact, you can save money on repairs by bringing in an expert as soon as possible. Timely roof ventilation or shingle repairs could save you from requiring a costly roof replacement.

For roof replacements and repairs throughout Union, NJ, you can rely on Mega Max Construction. They’ve offered masonry, siding, and roofing services to clients in Union County for over 20 years. Their licensed, bonded, and insured team of roofing contractors serves residential and commercial clients. To get a free estimate, call (908) 265-5589, and visit them online to learn more about their offerings.