If you don't know how to care for your new roof, you're not alone. New home ownership doesn't come with instructions on proper roof maintenance. Unfortunately, lack of maintenance can lead to costly repairs down the road. Here's a quick list of some things you can do to keep your roof in top condition.

Visual Inspections of the Roof

The best way to keep track of potential damage is to perform a monthly inspection of your roof. Once a month, take the time to look up at the roof. Looking up at the roof will allow you to see issues such as missing or curled shingles. It will also allow to find areas where mold may be growing.  Once every six months you'll need to climb up on the roof to get a closer look. This is the time when you'll clean the shingles and take care of any repairs that need to be performed.

Clean the Shingles

Your shingles will need to be cleaned twice a year. A thorough cleaning will remove dirt and debris. It will also kill any mold that you might find. Mold can grow under piles of leaves or other debris.

Supplies You'll Need

• Garden Sprayer

• Slip resistant shoes

• Ladder

• Liquid soap

• Bleach

• Broom

• Hose

Directions

1. Put on your slip resistant shoes.

2. Pour 1 gallon of water and 3 cups of bleach into the garden sprayer.

3. Place the ladder up against your house and carefully climb up on the roof.

4. Starting at the bottom edge of the roof, spray a generous amount of the bleach solution on 3 ft. by 3 ft. section of shingles.

5. Scrub the area with a broom and move on to the next section, working across the roof.

6. Once all the shingles have been scrubbed, rinse the entire roof with your garden hose.

Repair Curled Edges

You might notice that the edges of the shingles are beginning to curl. This is caused by excess heat and cold. Curling is easy to fix, however it's best to wait until the weather is warm so that the shingles are more pliable.

Supplies You'll Need

• Slip resistant shoes

• Ladder

• Hammer

• Roofing nails

• Roofing cement

• Paint brush

• Whisk broom

Directions

1. Put on your gloves and slip resistant shoes.

2. Use your ladder to climb on the roof.

3. Carefully lift up the edge of the curled shingle.

4. Use your whisk broom to sweep away any dirt and debris.

5. Apply a thin layer of roofing cement.

6. Press the shingle back in to place.

7. Use your hammer to place several nails along the edge of the shingle.

New home ownership should come with a manual. Unfortunately, you have to learn most things on your own. Roof maintenance shouldn't have to be one of those things. This list will help you learn how to take care of the basic maintenance that your roof will need. If you have further questions, you can contact a local roofing company, like Lakeside Roofing, with your inquiries.