Roof Maintenance Tips

As a homeowner, we know you want to get as many years out of your roof as possible. But with seasons that include sunshine, extreme heat, unpredictable storms, and the occasional icy winter, Mid-South roofs have a lot to contend with! Here at Pinnacle Roofing & Restoration, we want to help you to get the most out of your home, so we’ve put together a list of our top tips for maintaining your roof. Taking just a few simple steps will give you the best chance at Fortunately, there are a number of simple steps you can take to make your roof last.

Clear debris from your gutters

Gutters play an essential role in the integrity of your roof, directing water off and away from your roof and home. But over time, they can become clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris. This makes it difficult for rainwater to pass through, which can lead to pest infestations, mold, and roof leaks. Cleaning out your gutters regularly will ensure they are working properly and can protect your roof and home effectively.

Inspect your roof after every storm

West Tennessee has two official storm seasons, and both bring with them high winds, heavy rain, and a hefty dose of unpredictability! This makes it especially important to stay on top of regularly inspecting your roof, especially after a storm. Damage from wind, rain, and hail can cause quite a bit of trouble, potentially compromising your roof’s integrity. Dealing with storm damage promptly can keep it from becoming an even bigger problem in the future.

Keep branches trimmed

Memphis is known for its many trees, and while these are beautiful to look at and wonderful for providing shade during hot summers, they can also be problematic if they’re allowed to grow unchecked over roofs. Branches that brush against the surface of your roof can cause damage to the top protective layer of your shingles. Once this layer has been worn away, your shingles will no longer be capable of providing the same level of protection against heat and sunlight.

Heavy wind, an accumulation of ice or snow, and lightning can also cause untrimmed branches to break and fall on your roof. Some home insurance companies will even cover trimming trees to avoid this scenario, so it’s worth checking with your agent to see if your policy will.

Pay attention to the state of your shingles

They’re an important part of keeping your roof protected and free from leaks, but even the best quality shingles won’t last forever. Sunshine, wind, and other elements can damage your shingles over time and decrease their effectiveness. If you notice any of the following among your shingles, it’s a sign they could have damage that needs to be addressed by a professional team like Pinnacle Roofing & Restoration.

Cracking
Curling
Dents
Bare spots
Missing granules
Broken or missing shingles
Granules in your gutters

Inspect your attic

You can sometimes learn more about your roof from the inside of your home than you can from the outside! Dark spots on the ceiling or walls can indicate a leak, and you should also watch for any signs of daylight seeping into your attic from the ceiling. This could be due to missing shingles or exposure from another weak spot in your roof.

Proper insulation and ventilation in your attic is another important aspect of a healthy roof. If your attic hasn’t been properly insulated or ventilated, heat can build up inside it, weakening and damaging your roof from the inside out over time. A lack of ventilation or insulation can also cause ice dams to form on your roof during winter weather. These prevent melted snow from getting out through your gutters, and can eventually lead to roof leaks.

Get regular roof inspections from a pro

Although many of these tips are things you can handle on your own, don’t underestimate the importance of regular roof inspections by experienced professionals like Pinnacle Roofing & Restoration. Our team knows exactly what to look for when it comes to the health of your roof! This means we’re more likely to catch potential issues you have overlooked that could lead to bigger, more expensive issues in the future.

We encourage homeowners to inspect the roof from the ground or inside the attic, rather than climbing up on the roof itself. This can be dangerous not only for you, but for your roof! As professional roofing contractors, we are able to navigate your entire roof safely, without causing any damage to it (or ourselves!) This lets us look closely at the flashing, valleys, and various other components of your roof that may be prone to wear and tear or flooding.

Proper roof maintenance can be simple

Even the simplest maintenance tasks can help you get more years out of your roof, and as we’ve outlined above, many of them are quick, easy, and don’t require too much time or energy from you. But when it’s time for a roof inspection, the pros at Pinnacle Roofing & Restoration are here to help! We pride ourselves on our full-service roof inspections, and it’s our goal to provide honest information that will ensure you feel confident in our assessment. We can even help you decide on the next steps to take. When we perform a thorough roof inspection for you, you can expect us to pay careful attention to:

Any damage to your roof, including soft spots or rotting
Downspouts and gutters
All chimneys, pipes, vents, and walls
Overgrown branches that may be scraping against shingles
Any potential damage to skylights and valleys
Any missing shingles
Shingles that are torn, cracked, or otherwise damaged
How many layers of material are on your roof
The age of your roof compared to its life expectancy

Once we’ve determined what type of residential or commercial roofing system you have, the age of your roof, and how it’s performing, we’ll present you with our recommendations for prolonging the life of your roof. If it’s time for a replacement due to its age or damage that can’t be repaired, we’ll help walk you through that process as well. We work with all the major insurance companies, and can advise you on whether a legitimate insurance claim is warranted or not.

Give your roof its best life with Pinnacle Roofing & Restoration

We hope you’ll find these maintenance tips useful, and that these simple tasks will give you a roof you can enjoy for years to come. Pinnacle is proud to be your go-to roofing contractors in Memphis and the Mid-South, and we’re here to help you with all your roofing needs! For a roof that lasts and functions as effectively as possible, give us a call at 901-250-2607 to schedule a free evaluation. Our experienced team offers a wide range of roofing services, and we’re ready and able to meet all of your roofing needs.