Whether you hired 5280 Storm Team to install a new GAF roof on your home or to repair your home’s existing GAF roof, you want the roof to last as long as possible. Even a brand-new roof needs regular maintenance to perform at its best. Let’s consider what you, the homeowner, can do to maximize the health of your GAF roof system.
Homeowner Roofing Maintenance
Like other areas of the home, the roof needs a little attention now and then. At least once per month, walk around the perimeter of your home and observe the roof as you circle it. You don’t have to climb onto the roof to see if it sustained damage. Conducting a self-inspection from the ground helps you spot imperfections in the roof shingles.
Also, check the roof in this way after each storm, so you quickly spot exterior damage. Let’s consider the items you’ll need to look for in your roof inspection.
Look for damaged or missing shingles. Shingles that show tears, lost granules, or holes need replacing.
Stained shingles indicate a problem with water damage. When you spot an area of the roof that appears darker than the others, that signals you that the roof underwent water damage.
If moss grows on the shingles or other roofing materials, it needs removal. Although classic photography nostalgizes the appearance of ivy on the sides of a home and moss on the roof, both create a serious danger to your home’s structural integrity.
Look for worn vent boots, especially those developing cracks. A vent boot, also called a vent pipe cover, seals the area around pipes that run through the home’s ceiling and roof. Damage to these seals can cause damage to your home’s pipes.
Check the roof’s guttering system for clogs. Scoop out debris, such as leaves, sticks, small branches, etc. Although home improvement resources counsel homeowners to do this once or twice per year, checking monthly provides the best roof gutter performance. You can reduce the cleaning time for this item by installing gutter guards on the top of the roofing gutters to block debris from entering them.
Maintenance From a Professional Roofer
Although your regular maintenance improves the GAF roof’s performance, each year, it will also need an inspection from a trusted Colorado roofing company. 5280 Storm Team offers this annual inspection for free.
At this inspection, the roofing professional mounts a ladder and walks your roof to inspect it. They’ll look for loose or eroded shingles, stains, loose or broken flashing, and other signs of roof damage. The roofer reports any problems spotted and offers a repair estimate.
Also, have a roofing professional clean the roof at least annually to safely remove algae, lichens, moss, etc. Avoid power washing the roof since the powerful spray from that method can dislodge shingles or damage them. Roofers use a lower-power hose system combined with a copper sulfate or chlorine bleach solution to kill fungus, algae, and mold. Avoid using other chemical solutions for this purpose since they can create health issues for pets or children.
Hire an arborist to trim trees that overhang your home, so you can reduce the chance of moss and mold growth. Ensuring that no tree limbs overhang the roof allows sunlight to easily reach it. That helps rainwater and other precipitation dry quickly, and it reduces the amount of debris on the roof.
Getting Started on Better Roof Maintenance
Your GAF roof uses the highest-quality materials that proper care helps last longer. By combining monthly homeowner maintenance with professional roofing care, your home’s GAF roofing system can provide your home with 15 to 20 years of protection. In Colorado, turn to 5280 Storm Team for roofing installation and repairs. We serve Ft. Collins, Colorado Springs, Lakewood, Aurora, Boulder, and their surrounding areas.
Every Colorado resident needs a dependable and reputable Colorado roofing company that looks out for their best interests. At 5280 Storm Team, we pride ourselves on being that company you can always count on. Check out our services list, then contact us for a free inspection.
