The roof is a vitally important component in the structure of your house. It needs to be sound and waterproof for a long period of time. You can ensure this through proper roof maintenance. In the normal course, every homeowner should make a routine inspection of the roof every year and check for any signs of damage. But most people do not take this step being unaware about the need for roof maintenance. Normally, an asphalt roofing system should last for about 15 years and other systems like tile, clay, slate, metal etc lasting longer. But this is possible only if the roof is maintained properly.

Here are a few tips that can help you to maintain your roof satisfactorily.

First of all make sure that there are no trees growing in close proximity to the roof. There should not be any branches touching the roof. Promptly trim/cut off any branch leaning on the roof. These can gouge and scratch the roof material; the leaves can choke the gutter and cause water to flow into the attic. It can also run down behind the fascia or into living spaces. When you trim back trees the shade is reduced removing humidity that in turn leads to formation of mold, fungus and algae that can eat into the material of the roof. The air circulation also is appreciably improved.

Taking along a pair of binoculars, go to your backyard and find a spot, free from trees and other visual obstructions. That affords a clear view of the roof. Inspect the roof for broken, loose or missing tiles/shingles. Look carefully for missing nails that leave holes through which water seeps in. Protruding or exposed nails also lead to the same problem. If you observe an accumulation of large quantity of granules in the rain gutters, this could be an indication that granular coating of the roof is wearing away. Dark patches on asphalt shingles can mean existence of mold. Check whether the roof is sagging on the ridges or in the center. If the roof is flat, check for blistering in the coating. Check for accumulation of leaves and debris around plumbing vents, in the valleys or near the chimney. These are a source of problems and must be cleared promptly.

Make a list of all minor repairs that need to be done. You may need to add some repair compound around the chimney or any other opening(s). Repair blistering in the coating. It can be corrected by popping with a penknife and coat with roofing cement. Replace or repair old and damaged tiles, shingles etc. Clean the gutters and remove all signs of moss and mildew. Install zinc roof protector strips along the roof ridge to prevent formation of moss and fungus on the roof again. When water runs over these strips it forms harmless zinc oxide to form a protective coating that stems growth of algae, moss etc.

Inspect the attic minutely to check the roof's watertightness. It is the right place to look for any problem areas that allow water penetration through the roof. The signs of water damage can be located by the presence of dark stained areas on the wood. These are usually found around openings, nails or other roof components. These should be attended to immediately.

Finally give a coat of elastomeric coating to the roof.