How To Protect Your Roof ?

Your roof is not just an expensive hat for our home. Roofing systems are crucial to many of your various home systems including your:

 

• Attic
• Siding
• Foundation
• and Landscaping

 

Even though a roof can often cost us more than a brand new vehicle, often our roofs are out of sight and out of mind, that is, until there is a leak. Prevent the stress that comes from a damaged roof by keeping it maintained.

The focus of this article will be how you can protect this vital system that keeps your home and possessions safe from the elements?

Choose the Right Roofing Company

Whether your building a new home, or just replacing your roofing materials, finding a reputable roofing company is no easy task.

How can you determine a good roofing company from a bad one?

Well step one is to go online and look at their reviews. You will often find an honest opinion from customers that have hired them before. This should narrow down your search. It also helps to ask neighbors friends and family for companies they have had success with.

Even with good reviews though how do you know you will get the same degree of service or the reviews were legitimate?

Here are a few things to look for:

When a good roofing company comes to give you quote they will go inside the attic to see the condition of the roof. Many companies will say wood replacement is not included. They say that because they don’t want to go in the attic. They do whats good for them and not what is good for you.

The other sign is when a roofing company tells you that you don’t need a drip edge installed when they replace your roof. Even if they claim this will save a few bucks, be assured it will cost you thousands in repairs down the road. Companies that cut corners like that do not have your best interests, keep on looking.

Regular Gutter Cleaning

By getting your gutters cleaned in spring and fall you can save yourself thousands of dollars in the long run. When gutters are left unchecked and uncleaned from debris, water and ice can work its way into the roofing and in time will begin to rot your roof.

Having your gutters cleaned before the winter months will also prevent ice damns from starting in the gutters and working under the shingles. These ice damns will damage shingles or fascia boards and lead to water damage.

If you feel uncomfortable getting up on a ladder or your roof, call Clear Ottawa Windows so we can make sure your roof is protected. We provide gutter cleaning services and the best gutter guards at affordable rates and while we are up there, we will even inspect your roofing and let you know of potential warning signs.

Cleaning and Removing Moss

With the humid warm months that we enjoy living in Ottawa, this attracts another danger to your roof. Moss, lichen and algae. The longer these are allowed to live on your roof the more likely they are to eat away at your shingles.

Moss is a trap for moisture and needs to be removed. Depending on how long the moss has been allowed to remain, the solution may be as simple as sweeping it off, or using a solution to kill it.

Besides moss, leaves from surrounding trees are another trap for moisture and worst case cause weed growth. Weeds naturally push there roots under the shingle becoming an unwelcome guest. You want guests in your home, but not these kind. An occasional roof inspection and cleaning can block these potential hazards from gaining control of your roof.

At Clear Ottawa Windows we encourage our customers to purchase our soft washing service. The solution that we use is biodegradable and yet produces lasting results on your roof. It gently uses water under 250 PSI to renew the life of your roof. Its just like a like a bubble bath for your roof.

Maintain Landscaping

As beautiful as they are, trees and their branches cause a danger to your roof. In storms or high winds branches that flex or break off thus hitting or landing on your roof can cause shingles or sheeting to be penetrated.

Besides this, tree branches that are too close to your roof are a bridge to the pest and insect world. These pests will leave their mark or create their home in your attic or soffits.

Keep the bridge drawn by having your landscaper or arborist clean up trees and shrubs that cause a potential risk.

Conclusion

Don’t allow your roof to become out of sight out of mind. Keep it protected by following these steps:

• Choose the right roofing company
• Regularly clean your gutters
• Clean and remove moss
• Keep trees and branches away from your roof

Your roof is not only for aesthetic appeal, it provides protection to many systems of your home and to your possessions inside. Raise the roof to the top of your list of to do’s and give Clear Ottawa Windows a call, we can help you protect your roof.