Meet Jane Evans

Regardless of the type of roof your have on your home or business, it is essential that you keep it in good shape with key maintenance tasks. This is particularly true if you have a flat roof, which is prone to problems that other roofs are not. Here are four tips to help you keep your flat roof in proper working order:

1. Keep the Roof Clean

Flat roofs are known to accumulate a lot of debris. This is because there is nowhere for that debris to go. Unlike pitched roofs, it can't just slide off. Therefore, you need to keep the roof as clean as you possibly can. You should take a short amount of time each week to sweep off any debris, such as dirt and leaves, that has accumulated on top of the roof. This can build up pretty quickly, which is why it should be a weekly maintenance task.

2. Ensure the Drains Are Free of Debris

Another common issue with flat roofs is that they hold water. With the right gutter system, the water can drain off of the roof. However, if there is debris in the gutters and the drains are clogged, then that water has nowhere to go. It will continue to build up on the roof resulting in water leaks, interior moisture damage, attic insulation damage, and much more.

3. Keep the Tree Branches Trimmed

Even if you just have one tree near your roof, you need to keep the tree's branches trimmed back. All it takes is a little bit of wind or a heavy rainstorm to cause the branches to break and fall onto your roof. This could lead to significant damage, which means a hefty chunk of change coming out of your bank account for repairs. By keeping trees trimmed that are around your roof, you can help prevent any future issues.

4. Inspect the Flashing

The flashing on your roof is very important, as it is what helps to keep the water out of the inside of your home or building. Over time, the caulking around the flashing may begin to crack or deteriorate. When this happens, it needs to be repaired immediately with a caulking gun and a tube of caulking. If you don't repair it, then you will soon have a huge leak on your hands. In some cases, it may mean that you need a new roof installed. Therefore, check the caulking around the flashing once or twice a season.

Although you can follow the aforementioned maintenance tasks yourself, there may come a point in time when you need professional assistance for a repair that you can't fix or for a replacement roof. When this occurs, call a qualified roofer, such as Welty Custom Exteriors, Inc, in your area that is qualified in roof installation and repair.