New Year’s Resolutions for Your Roof

With 2021 right around the corner, you’re likely thinking about self-improvement. While we’ll always support your efforts to eat better or read more books, we’d really love to see you make a resolution to treat your roof right. Trust us: It’ll be easier to stick to this one than it will be to quit snacking right before bedtime.

Make the new year the one you start keeping an eye on your roof, and it’ll also become the year you spend less on repairs and other maintenance. What homeowner doesn’t want to see that? Here’s our four-point approach to make your roof’s new year as great as possible.

Get Out the Ladder: If you’re comfortable using a ladder to get on your roof, make inspections a part of your annual maintenance schedule. Many small problems can’t be seen from the ground, and so you’ll need to spot them with a thorough, close-up inspection.

Mind The Landscaping: Roofing is intended to protect your home from the weather, not repel trees. Keep branches trimmed away from your roof each spring and fall, and prevent damage. Similarly, make the effort to clean your gutters and downspouts of leaves and other debris every fall to ensure proper drainage.

Know Your Roof: Every roof eventually needs to be replaced. Do you know your roof’s expected lifespan? Stay in front of repairs – and the damages to your home that can be caused by a failing roof – by knowing when it’s time to start planning for a new roof.

Don’t Be a Fair-Weather Friend: Of course your roof is going to function great on those beautiful Colorado June afternoons. It’s when the weather isn’t so accommodating that issues start to show. Pull out your umbrella and – safely from the ground – take a look at how water drains. If you notice pooling, strange drainage patterns or backups in your gutters, it’s a good sign you need to wait until the weather clears and address issues before they turn into leaks.

As far as resolutions go, pledging to pay better attention to your roof in 2021 is about as easy as it gets: Schedule a couple of hours a few weekends a year, and you’ll be in a great spot to extend your roof’s lifespan and prevent costly repairs.