It would be nice if roofs were a ‘set-it-and-forget-it’ type of project, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Since the roof is the part of your home that’s susceptible to the most damage, it deserves regular inspections and proper maintenance.
But what is roof maintenance exactly? How can you care for your roof, and is there anything specific you should look out for? We answer these and more questions in the article below.
The basics of roof maintenance
Regular roof maintenance is the only way to keep your roof in good shape and address problems before they lead to water intrusion and other serious issues.
Typically, the process involves many steps, such as roof inspection, gutter cleaning, debris and mold removal, as well as general roof repair. While some homeowners prefer to do roof inspections and maintenance on their own, we advise you to trust professionals.
Remember that any roof work involves risks. Even one simple misstep can have disastrous effects. In fact, roofing has the second-highest workplace fatality rate in the U.S.1 Keep in mind, those are professionals, not amateurs fixing up their roof for the first time!
What does roof maintenance include
General inspection
The golden rule of roof maintenance is to have roof inspections at least once a year. If your property is located in an area with harsh weather conditions, including frequent storms, it’s best to do it even more often.
During the inspection, your roofer will assess the overall condition of your roof. Are there any loose nails or bolts? Is there anything that looks amiss? Are all shingles where they need to be? Some roofers may offer to repair anything that needs to be fixed on the spot. If they don’t, you can always schedule repairs for later.
Cleaning out your gutters
Your gutters are incredibly important for the water management of your home. If your gutters are clogged, they can’t perform the way they’re supposed to, which can cause water to stagnate and overflow. That’s why you should put it on your to-do list at least twice a year. This is especially important in fall, when more leaves and twigs are flying around.
While cleaning your gutters, you should also look for signs of holes, rot, peeling paint, or cracked caulking. This means there’s water running behind them.
Removing debris
Although most roof maintenance works should be left to professionals, there is something you can do – remove debris. For this, you’ll need a tool that can reach the top of the roof, so you can clean the pile-ups. If debris stay on your roof, it will eventually settle in your gutters, plus your shingles will be exposed to moisture for lengthy periods. Remove it before it creates a bigger headache!
Getting rid of any mold
Mold doesn’t just damage the appearance of your roof – it also harms the integrity of your shingles. Moreover, it can quickly spread to other parts of your roof and home, which can lead to costly repairs. One of the ways to get rid of mold is to use your hose to spray it away. However, if it’s already too widespread, you’ll likely need professional help.
In some cases, extensive mold damage may even require a full roof replacement. If that’s the case, use our Roofing Calculator to get an instant estimate on the cost of a new roof based on your location and roofing type.
Trimming trees close by
This may not initially seem like a roof maintenance task, but trimming nearby trees is one of the most crucial steps in protecting your roof. Why? A heavy tree branch falling during a storm can significantly damage your home’s structure. Likewise, even the tips of branches can cause a series of problems. For example, when they rub against the roof, it may cause the shingle granules to fall off.
Final thoughts: What is roof maintenance
The benefits of regular roof maintenance are undeniable. When you address issues before they become major problems, you can extend the life of your roof by many years and avoid the high costs associated with roof replacements. Not to mention, you’ll have peace of mind, knowing that your roof is in tip-top shape and ready to protect your home from any elements that might harm it.
Although you can do some parts of roof maintenance on your own, others will require professional help. You can use our search tool to find an experienced roofer in your area. While roof maintenance may seem like a hassle on your never-ending to-do list, remember it will pay off in the long term!
Fact Checked by Lita Legzdina on 06/09/2025
Sources
- Roofing Contractor. (2022, April 7). Roofing has second-highest workplace fatality rate in the US. https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/99010-roofing-has-second-highest-workplace-fatality-rate-in-the-us ↩︎