DIY maintenance - Central Ohio

Regularly inspect your roof and siding

The easiest thing you can do as a homeowner is to regularly inspect your shingles and siding. Most shingle and siding inspections can be completed from the ground. You should regularly look at the roof and siding paying close attention to any missing or damaged shingles or pieces of siding. After hard rains, wind and hail storms, or heavy snowfall inspect your ceiling and walls for water stains, soft spots or bubbling/peeling wallpaper. Common sources for leaks include pipe boots, bathroom vents, and along eaves with clogged or ice dammed gutters. If you see something concerning from the ground, the next step would be to inspect from a ladder or on the roof to confirm. If you have any concerns about safety or structural integrity please contact us at 614-354-5074 for a free inspection. We have years of experience, and drones.

On the roof – Chimneys, Skylights and Vent Openings

Pay close attention around chimneys, skylights, and vent openings which are particularly susceptible to water intrusion because they present openings into the roof. During the installation process these openings are sealed, but over time they can deteriorate exposing the area to water and ice. Pay extra attention to these areas as you inspect your roof so that if there is any sign of damage or leaking, it can be caught early before extensive repairs become necessary. Central Ohio and the Columbus area have a diverse climate that are particularly tough on roofs and siding.

Clean roof of debris

The next task to roof maintenance is to clean off the leaves, sticks, and other debris that can land on the roof. Pay special attention to valleys and areas behind chimneys and skylights as debris tends to build up there. Cleaning it off is a simple task that can make a huge difference in allowing water to drain freely off your roof. A leaf blower works well for this task, always with the direction of the shingles and at low speed setting. If low speed is not sufficient, consider using a soft broom sweep the debris off of the roof. It is best to use a soft household broom, and gently sweep debris in the direction of the shingles to avoid breakage. Never power wash your shingle roof! Washing your roof should be done using a low pressure setting or garden hose and gentle chemical cleaner, going with the slope of the roof. Power washing shingles can cause severe damage very quickly.

Check gutters for shingle granules

It’s also important to check your gutters for excess shingle granules. If there are large amounts of shingle granules in the gutters, this can indicate that the shingles are nearing the end of their useful life. If shingles have lost the majority of their granules, it means that they are susceptible to damaging UV rays. These will cause them to crack, allowing for water intrusion and potential damages to the interior of your home. Excessive amounts of granules in the gutters will add weight, trap water and slow drainage during heavy rains. This can lead to gutters overflowing or pulling out of fascia boards.

Clean out gutters

Whether or not there is shingle debris in the gutters, cleaning them out is an important part of your roof maintenance. Gutters that are full of debris will become clogged. During a rainstorm, the water won’t be able to flow through the system correctly, and can result in water damage to the roof, fascia, soffit and foundation of your home.

Check for moss and remove it

As you’re inspecting your roof, be sure to check for the presence of moss or other green growth on your roof. Moss is particularly dangerous for roofs because once it takes root, it spreads very quickly, and causes the shingles to lift. If moss is left untreated, it can quickly cause damage so extensive that a total roof replacement is in order. When caught early, you can remove moss using water and a gentle scrub brush. Take care to scrub at a downward angle, to protect the shingles from damage.

Trim branches away from roof

An often overlooked DIY roof maintenance task is trimming back low-hanging branches near the roof. Branches that hang too close to the roof can cause damage by repeatedly scraping the shingles as they sway in the breeze. Large branches or dead limbs can fall on your roof during storms causing damage to both the shingles and wood decking or framing structure of the roof.

Check for proper attic ventilation

The ventilation in your attic and home is a crucial part of your roofing system. Many roofs do not have adequate or appropriate ventilation. Signs of inadequate ventilation include deteriorating insulation, shingle blistering, nail-pops, the formation of ice dams in the winter months, and mold or mildew in your attic.

Check your attic for leaks

Check your attic for leaks periodically (particularly after heavy rain or snow). Sometimes leaks are not yet visible from the interior of the home or the ground, but can be found by looking for discoloration, water staining, moisture, mold/mildew growth or puddles inside the attic. If any of these signs are present, call Highmark Renovations so we can help stop them before they do cause interior damage.

If you are experiencing any problems with your roof, siding or gutters and you are in the Central Ohio Area please sign up for a free inspection.