Your roof is the most essential part of your house.  Without a roof over your head, you and all of your personal belongings would be at the mercy of the weather, and even the local wildlife. Yet many homeowners barely give the roof over their head a second thought until they experience a problem.

A good roof is made from high-quality materials designed to withstand a beating from the weather, which is why it’s often last on the list of regular home maintenance projects. But proper roof maintenance can help you avoid serious heartache later down the line by allowing you to fix problems before they occur and avoiding the need for emergency roof repair.

Here are a few tips from your friendly Philadelphia roofers, Pace Roofing, for taking care of your roof:

Complete A Regular Roof Inspection

Every 3-6 months, you should complete a general inspection of the roof.  If you can’t (or just don’t want to!) get on the roof, you can get a professional local roofing company to do this for you. The added bonus of hiring professionals is that they will be able to quickly spot any issues and will most likely provide a free estimate for any roof repairs your home may need.

Things to look for during the inspection are:

• Holes in the roof

• Missing shingles

• Cracks in the shingles

• Raised shingles

• Curled shingles

• Mold and fungus

Shingles are your roof’s first line of defense against the elements, so it’s important to replace any missing or cracked shingles as soon as possible. Raised or curled shingles may need replacing or refixing properly.

Mold and fungus can sometimes damage the shingle too, so if you spot discoloration on your roof from mold and fungus, you’ll want to take steps to remove it as soon as possible.

Check From the Inside

You should also inspect the roof from the inside by looking at your attic ceiling. Water stains on the ceiling can alert you early to a problem on the roof.

Keep Gutters Free of Debris

If you have gutters and drains, these should be cleaned regularly to prevent leaves and debris from blocking them, which could keep water trapped on your roof.

Cut Branches Back

Trees are beautiful, but if they’re very close to your home, it’s important to trim any branches that are close to your home and at or above roof height. In bad weather conditions, a falling branch can cause a lot of damage to your roof, so it’s better to remove the risk than to have to bear the cost of repairing or replacing your roof.

Roof maintenance is an essential part of owning a home. If it’s not something you’re comfortable with doing yourself then you can always call in your friendly local roofing company to do it for you. If the roof on your Philadelphia home is overdue a maintenance check, why not contact Pace Roofing today for more information on how we can help you keep your roof in great condition.