Keeping up with Roof Maintenance
To help with roof maintenance you should be aware of what can damage it. The common sources of damage are wind, hail and storms, but damage can also happen from animal intrusions, gutters and downspouts, and heavy foot traffic on your roof. Here are some ways to identify those problem areas and keep up with roof maintenance.
Animals
Animals can pose a serious threat to the life of your roof and make roof maintenance essential. It can be as simple as birds nesting on or in your roof along with them picking at shingle granules. The soffit and fascia are common entry points to your attic, and once an animal has gotten into your roof more damage is soon to follow. If one animal enters through your roof, it’s only a matter of time before other animals find their way in. Bigger animals use the holes that smaller animals create to get inside the roof to cause even more damage. Once the animals are in, they can chew up wiring and other materials. These holes also welcome water damage to your roof.
When animal damage is spotted, it is best to get the animal removed promptly to keep up with your roof maintenance. The entry points then need to be inspected and sealed off. Animals gain access to a roof by tree branches. Trimming any overhanging tree branches helps keep animals off your roof.
Gutters and Downspouts: Also part of roof maintenance
It is recommended to clean out the gutters and downspouts twice a year to help avoid the damage caused by buildup. A buildup will cause leaks because the water corrodes the gutters. This can allow water to sit on top of your roof, causing it to become heavy and leak. When this happens, it may be time to look into roof repairs or a replacement. Once damage starts, it will only get worse and make roof maintenance more difficult if not handled efficiently and effectively. When you do get a new roof, it is a good opportunity to also replace your gutters. That way everything matches as well. On a commercial building, if you get a metal retrofit roof, the gutters will need to be raised anyway to be even with the new roof.
Limit Foot Traffic
Most roofs are not built to accommodate heavy foot traffic since it wears down the areas that are continuously walked upon. To help with roof maintenance, reduce foot traffic and only have the necessary people on the roof. 
Unfortunately, people may still need to walk on the roof, especially on a commercial flat roof. So it is a good idea to set a walkway or traffic patterns to minimize damage. That way if there is heavier foot traffic, the problem areas will already be known making roof maintenance easier.
If you believe that you have sustained any damage from lack of roof maintenance or need help maintaining your roof, give Royalty Roofing a call at 800-303-8392. We can help fix up any damage and give you tips for future roof maintenance.
Posted by Leona Burton