11 Tips to Make Your Minnesota Roof Last
The roof over your head does its job 24/7, shielding you and your family from Minnesota’s unpredictable climate. With that being said, your roof can go through a considerable amount of wear and tear over time.
Here are eleven roof maintenance tips to make your roof last for many years to come!
1. Clean At Least Twice a Year
The most important part of maintenance is cleaning. Removing debris, like leaves and branches, will help the flow of water away from your home.
It’s best to clean your roof at least twice a year. Once in the autumn and once in the spring are most prudent as you will be able to remove any falling leaves and other debris left by snow.
2. Clean Your gutters
Roofs and gutters work together to keep the flow of moisture away from your home.
When gutters are clogged, the standing water from a storm will seep through the shingles sheaths, exposing your roof to potential rotting and structural damage.
3. Take Preventative Measures
The best way to avoid damage is prevention and protection. An excellent way to start is by checking on your attic's insulation. Good insulation prevents water from pooling under your roof if you have a leak.
Trimming off overhanging branches is the most common practice to prevent major damage. Removing the branches ensures they won’t be able to snap off and hit your roof during a nasty wind storm.
Another practice of prevention is ventilation. Keeping the air at a constant current around your home helps prevent moisture from forming. Inspect and clean your ventilation as necessary, and if you don’t have ventilation in your attic, consider installing some.
4. Check Your Roof After a Storm
Whether it’s a thunderstorm, tornado, or hailstorm, you should always consider checking your roof for damage. Even the smallest dent on a shingle can grow into a big problem.
You should look out for any missing shingles along with torn or dented ones. Shingles that show bald spots or sagging are also a sign of roof damage.
It’s better to find damage after a storm than to let it go. Catching roof damage early will save you thousands of dollars in repairs. So if you find damage after a storm, call a professional right away!
5. Remove Ice Dams
Ice dams are large walls of ice that form on the edge of your room and in your gutters. They are caused by the thaw-freeze cycle that can happen when the winter sun heats up a little, or if your roof is allowing too much heat to escape.
Ice dam removal is important because they can cause a back of up water on your roof, which then needs a place to go. Since it can’t reach the gutters, it will try to find a way inside your home. However, we do not recommend DIY ice dam removal. It can be dangerous, so let the professionals take care of it.
6. Trim Branches
If you have trees that overhang your home, it’s a good idea to have those trimmed back. While they may help shade your home in the summer, they can be potentially dangerous in the winter.
Snow and ice storms can cause branches to break off and fall, which could then land on your roof and cause damage. Trim back those low-hanging branches before winter to keep your roof safer.
7. Improve Your Roof Ventilation
Your roof ventilation can cause problems for your roof over time. It’s a good idea to regularly check your attic for signs of bad ventilation, such as deteriorating insulation, moisture in your attic, and damaged shingles. It may be time to replace your insulation if your home has a tendency to form ice dams, which can be a symptom of poor attic ventilation.
8. Check for Loose or Missing Shingles
Adverse weather can cause your shingles to loosen or fall off, which is dangerous for your roof and attic. You should regularly check your roof for missing shingles, from the ground, of course, and call in the professionals to replace those missing shingles right away. Without shingles, your roof is subject to more bad weather and other potential damage.
9. Check for Leaks
You should regularly check your roof for leaks. It’s a good idea to check your roof for leaks at least twice a year and look for any signs of wear or structural damage. If you do find a leak, then there are a few things you can do.
First, you should move your things out of the way and try to capture the leaking water so it cannot spread. Document the damage for your insurance company. If you can and feel safe doing so, you can put a tarp on your roof to stop more water from getting inside. Then call the professionals at Timberline Roofing & Contracting to look at and fix your leak.
10. Hang Holiday Lights Properly
Gone are the days of using nails to hang holiday lights on your home’s exterior. There are new plastic clips that snap to your roof which will not cause damage like nails or staples will. Using nails or staples can give water a new way to get inside your roof, while plastic clips will keep your roof safer.
11. Choose Professional Roofers for Replacement
DIY roof replacement can take time and money and cause unnecessary stress. Not only are you off the ground in a potentially dangerous situation, but you also may not have the necessary experience and knowledge to deal with the problems you may find while replacing your roof on your own.
When you DIY roof replacement, there’s the possibility that it will take even longer than the professionals, and it could turn into a money pit quickly if you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s a better idea to call in the professionals at Timberline Roofing & Contracting to replace your roof. We will get it done quickly and efficiently, and you can go back to enjoying your roof and the safety it provides.
Contact Timberline Roofing & Contracting
Did your roof or siding get damaged by a recent storm? Then we’re here to help! We also offer insurance assistance, so you get the money you deserve to repair your roof after a storm.
Call Timberline Roofing & Contracting at 612-284-5329 for fast help or get a free quote online!