Preventative roofing maintenance can add years to the lifespan of your roof. It can also prevent emergencies like those you find out about when water starts dripping from the ceiling.

While any major roofing maintenance and repairs should be handled by a professional roofing company, there are steps you can take to help protect your roof, and determine if you need a full roof inspection 

4 Items for Your Roofing Maintenance Checklist

First, you should never go up on your roof. These checklist items are designed to be completed from the ground or a safe, tied-off ladder.

1. Inspect for Shingle Damage – The ground is a great place to spot some of the main signs of roof damage. From the angle you get on the ground, it’s easy to spot curled or buckled shingles.
   
   Step further away from the home to spot any out-of-place or missing shingles. As you walk around your home looking for signs of damage, also look on the ground for whole or broken shingles that may have blown off. 
2. Check the Flashing – Also check the flashing around your chimney and other roof protuberances to see if it is bent or damaged. 
3. Look for Dark Areas on the Roof – Dark or black discolouration streaked down your roof is most likely algae growth. While it will not damage your roof, algae growth is unsightly and can affect the curb appeal of your home.
   
   Moss may also grow on your roof, especially on north-facing slopes that remain damp. Unfortunately, mass can damage asphalt shingles and should be removed by a roofing professional. 
4. Clean Your Eavestroughs – You should do this at least twice a year. As you remove debris from the troughs, look for excessive amounts of roofing granules that would have come off the surface of your asphalt shingles. And could be a sign of needing a new roof.

If you found this post helpful, check out our recent article “4 Signs That it’s Time to Replace Your Roof”.