You have a new roof. What could be better? You’re confident that it’s going to last for many years, and so it will: unless you’ve forgotten to support it with the necessary infrastructure. What do you need to do outside your home to make sure that your roof will last for many years to come? 

Get Rid of Damaging Branches 

One of the best preventative measures you can take for your roof is to prune away large, potentially-damaging branches from over the roof. In a storm, these branches could fall on your roof, damaging shingles and everything that’s below them. Avoid planting new trees right next to the house as well, if they’ll grow tall enough to damage the roof.

Ensure That You Have Good Drainage 

A roof is a huge part of your drainage system, but it’s not the end of your home drainage.  That honor goes to your gutters and drainpipes. Make sure that they are installed correctly. They should have enough brackets that they aren’t sagging, and they should also remain unclogged throughout the seasons. You’ll either need to schedule maintenance or add a gutter guard product to avoid backups onto the roof.

Look At Your Flashing and Mortar 

A good roof should have good flashing, but if you have done a roof repair or partial replacement and did not replace all of the flashing, make sure that it is not leaky. Check the caulk and mortar around flashing and other potential water entry points, such as chimneys and skylights.

Prevent Plant Growth 

Maintain your roof so that you can avoid plant growth, which can damage your shingles. According to Allied Insurance, “If your roof is starting to collect moss or algae, install zinc or lead control strips.” Depending on the type of roof you have and the age of the roof, you may also choose to wash the roof.

Use Snow Removal Techniques 

The weight of snow on your roof can damage it, and so can snow and ice when they back up onto your roof. If your roof regularly gets damaged by snow, it’s time to manage this better. Either remove the snow from your roof or install heating such as Gutter Heat. A gutter heating system melts the snow as it moves into the gutters, removing ice dams from your roof.

Clean Your Roof Regularly 

According to Do It Yourself, one of the simplest and most effective things that you can do for your roof is to “Use a power washer or a broom to remove debris such as leaves and tree branches that have fallen on to the roof.” Keeping your roof debris-free allows you to avoid animal infestations and damage from small branches. It also prevents the growth of moss and other plants that grow on debris, and as your roof ages, you won’t disguise any problems under a layer of debris, so you’ll be able to identify them promptly.

Check Your Roof 

This isn’t an exterior home improvement, but it’s an essential practice that will extend the life of your new roof. Make sure that you look for common roof weaknesses regularly, such as loose shingles, problems with your flashing, cracking caulk and tar, and leaks around chimneys and vents. Take a look at your roof after major storms as well. Even an incident as seemingly small as a hail storm could cause shingles to loosen or crack, depending on their age and the way that the storm hits your roof. 

At Harry Helmet, we want you to be confident in your new roof. Our triple lifetime warranty not only warranties materials – it also ensures that you’re confident in our work as well. Are you curious about how we can help you with your exterior home improvement projects this year? Schedule a free estimate today.

Written by Del Thebaud