We all often know the best methods to have our roofs cleaned when the situation requires it, but not many people will often know or utilise methods to keep their roofs clear of dirt and debris in the first place. With most home insurance providers increasing premiums due to roof issues, replacements for example, it is more important than ever to make sure that your roof is kept clean and problem-free. With most roof issues being preventable in the first place, we’ve put together a handy guide for how you can maintain your roof and keep those long-term costs of cleaning and replacing parts down. Live in Cheshire? Check out Cheshire-based roof cleaners that can help you clean your roof to ensure it is maintained well.

Survey yours and your neighbours garden, are there any trees that are overshadowing your roof? If so, cutting them back or having them removed would be the best option, trees are nightmares for roofs as their leaves and branches that fall create potential hives of activity for insects and small pests, these can also cause gutters to become clogged which leads to rainfall not draining properly and more issues for your roof. With trees, the best thing to do is to either have them cut back far enough that their continued growth will not affect your roof or if this is not doable, have the tree removed completely as your roof not being damaged is worth it in the long run! If a neighbour’s tree is causing the issue, having a chat with them about cutting or removing the tree would be a great solution to prevent any damage or dirt occurring to your roof. 

Schedule visits for a local tradesperson or professional to check your roof at different intervals through the year and take note of any problems that they identify as already being an issue or becoming an issue, this will help with finding the right professional for what job you will need doing and it will also help with costs as if you know you need to budget for some work being done it will not impact your finances as heavily if you plan in advance. 

Keep your flashings and shingles in check! With these being the most critical points of protection on your roof, it is imperative to make sure that they are in good condition. If your flashings are not kept in good shape, those tricky areas that shingles are not able to cover to drain water will begin to start building up with rainfall and bathrooms or bedrooms underneath can then be affected with issues such as mould. Complete yearly checks on your shingles or do them more frequently if periods of wild weather occur, this is essential for hot and cold air to circulate through your house properly as they reflect UV rays from the sun. If any shingles are damaged, be sure to get them repaired as quickly as possible in order to prevent any further damage to your roof and home. 

In short, we recommend that you take necessary precautions and do checks on your home all year round, it will help with the lifespan of your roof and ensure your home stays protected.