As a homeowner, you know how important it is to keep every aspect of your house maintained. One of the most critical facets of home maintenance is to make sure that your roof is in good shape. There are many things that you can do to prolong the life of your roof. And why hire a professional roofing contractor if there are things you can manage yourself? In the event you grab a matter early, you’re more prone to keep it from turning into a substantial fix and a significant financial burden. Take a look at these five tips to help you prolong the life of your roof.

Clean the Roof

Certain roof maintenance needs to be done regularly, as they vary with each type of roof. This includes cleaning the roof. When the roofing material is left dirty, it can eventually rust and deteriorate. You can purchase many different roof cleaning products at many home improvement stores or from the roof manufacturer. These cleaning products should be applied every two weeks or so, depending on how long the roof has not been treated.

Remove Any Debris

Once your roof is properly cleaned, it’s important to keep it free of debris. The best strategy is to simply sweep debris regularly and collect it in bags. If you only have the standard broom and don’t have enough money for a plush futon, then sweep up debris as best you can. Check for low-hanging branches near your roof, as these can end up causing damage, even if they seem harmless. Trim the debris with a pair of scissors and remove smaller branches that you can easily reach with your hands. This is a good process to prevent large branches from falling on your roof and unwanted critters from taking up residence on your roof over time. You need also to check any loose nails or shingle nails that may need to be removed.

Check Every Shingle

Now that fall is almost here and winter is just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to make sure your shingles are ready for winter. If you don’t take care of your roof, it may not last long enough to protect your home and leave a lasting impression. There’s no doubt that winter is the most dangerous time of the year when it comes to protecting your home. If a storm hits and snowfalls in the next few months, it will be easier for moisture to get under your roof and cause it to rust.

Clean the Gutters

Make sure your gutters are free of debris. If there is a tree or other obstruction near your gutters, this will compromise the rainwater to run off, even if it does pelt on the roof at times. If your roof has no gutters, consider installing them. These allow water to run off the roof instead of being forced to stay on top due to a water trap. These gutters also help stop the accumulation of water that can get trapped on the roof.

Make Regular Inspections

Make sure the above steps are performed regularly to avoid unnecessary problems and repairs frequently, as regular roof inspections will save you money in the long run. Another tip is to make sure you wash away any obstructions on your roof. If you notice something that could ruin the overall look of your home or harm your loved ones, it’s best to remove it as soon as possible so that it doesn’t have the chance to seep into the structure itself and cause further damage.