12 Roof Care Tips for Minnesota Homeowners

The cost of installing a new roof can be surprisingly high, sometimes going as high as $12,000. Most homeowners won’t be able to install a new roof for any less than $5,000. That is a significant expense for your home, and it certainly isn’t something to take lightly. 

The good news is that you don’t have to worry about the cost of installing a new roof so long as the one you have is working just fine. As far as making it work fine is concerned, you can do that by maintaining it properly. If you maintain your roof properly, you can rely on it for between 20 and 30 years. Those are 20 to 30 years where you don’t have to worry about the cost of installing a new roof. That is just how powerful the effect of good maintenance is on the life of your roof. 

Proper maintenance involves such things as cleaning the roof, inspecting it regularly and also solving problems long before they become serious and expensive. You might want to hire a roofing contractor in Minnesota to help you solve these problems. This can make all the difference in the lifespan of your roof. To help you, here are some tips you can use to keep your roof roofing for longer.

1. Conduct Regular Inspections

You can do this yourself, but we would advise you to hire a professional to handle your roof inspections for you. Anyway, whether you get a professional to do it for you or you decide to do it yourself, it’s a good idea to perform regular inspections of your roof. 

It is especially important to inspect your roof after a major storm occurs in the area or even after the seasons change. You should check for any animal or insect activity as well as shingles that may have been curled, damaged or are missing altogether. 

While doing your inspection, keep an eye out for the growth of algae or fungi on the roof as well as the growth of rust. Look for pieces of shingles on the ground after storms as they are a good indicator of a damaged roof. Also, be sure to check the attic on the inside to see if there might be any leaks. 

2. Trim Your Trees

Trees can pose a serious threat to your roof if not taken care of. Tree limbs hanging over your roof present a hazard since they could potentially fall on you. However, beyond that, they can also damage your shingles or wear them down. They are also a great route for raccoons and squirrels to get on your roof and make their way into your home. Even when the tree limbs seem to be a fair distance away, they can still cause problems since they are flexible and can swing a vast distance during a storm. 

3. Repair Joints, Seals and Flashing

If your roof is leaking, it is most likely doing so from one of these. They should, therefore, be inspected on a regular basis and repaired as appropriate. The flashing of the roof will cover any entry points into the roof, such as the vents, chimney, and exhaust pipe. It is a very common spot for leaks to occur. You should look out for any punctures or bends in these areas or any sealant that has grown loose or dried out. 

4. Small Leaks Should Be Handled Promptly

Small leaks have a way of growing and what starts out as a small leak today will grow worse with time. Make sure you repair them as soon as you notice them and don’t give them a chance to grow into a larger problem. 

5. Watch Out for Early Warning Signs

This includes sighting rodents in your attic, the sound of hail on your roof, shingles on the ground, leaks and anything else that signals your roof might be in dire need of attention. It’s better to handle the cost of roof repair earlier before it gets too expensive to handle. 

6. Be Mindful of Roof Debris

This includes sticks, small tree limbs, and leaves and can damage your roof or cause rot and encourage the growth of algae and fungi. You should remove it sooner, rather than later. Make sure to clear your roof whenever you’re trimming your trees. You should also clean your gutters using a roof leak rake or a telescoping pole. 

7. Clean Gutters

Speaking of cleaning your gutters, they deserve a whole point of their own. Your gutters are those things that you probably won’t enjoy cleaning. However, the gutters and downspouts need to be cleared regularly, especially during the falling leaf periods. When you allow the gutter debris to accumulate, you also encourage the accumulation of moisture and rot. You should also check regularly to make sure that your gutters don’t have gaps in them and that the brackets are secured properly.

8. Get Rid of Pests

Any sign of termites, rodents or any other pests is a bad sign, and you should immediately get them removed. Pests can seriously damage your roof as they will chew the roofing material and use it to make their homes.

9. Keep an Eye on the Snow

Make sure to clear any heavy snow on the roof to avoid the chances of your roof collapsing. Use a snow rake to do it or get the help of a professional.

10. Ventilation and Insulation in the Attic

You can protect your roof from warping by installing the right kind of insulation. This can also be a great help to your roof in the case of an ice storm or snowstorm. Insulation will prevent the ice from melting and freezing again, which can damage your roof.

11. Avoid Walking on Your Roof

This should come as a no-brainer. It’s necessary to walk on your roof sometimes, but you should do it as little as possible as walking on tiles and shingles is enough to damage them.

12. Don’t Power Wash Your Roof

While it’s good to clear debris off of your roof, power washing it can damage it, sometimes even removing parts that are otherwise undamaged.

Your roof is capable of serving you for a very long time. All you have to do is maintain it and give it the care it deserves. The savings you make with those little maintenance actions can grow into the thousands.