It’s easy to forget about your roof. You’re likely not seeing it too often, and oftentimes out of sight means out of mind. However, because the health of your roofing is so important to the overall health of your home, you should be careful not to completely neglect it. This is especially crucial when it comes to debris that’s accumulated on your roof. Many homeowners have a tendency to let leaves, tree branches, and other debris built up without intervening, but there are several reasons why that’s a bad idea.
1. Protecting Your Gutters
When excessive debris accumulates on your roof, much of it will inevitably end up filling your gutters. If those gutters get too clogged, it will result in overflowing water spilling down the exterior of your home, which is detrimental to the health of the siding. During winter, clogged gutters can be even more harmful because of the potential for ice dams. All those leaves, pine needles, twigs, and pieces of debris will freeze into a heavy, slushy mass. That can result in your gutters collapsing from the weight. It can also result in moisture on your roof getting backed up, which can lead to water damage.
2. Maintaining Home Comfort and Air Conditioner Efficiency
Having a clean roof will also make your home more comfortable, particularly during summer. When there’s little or no debris up there, the sun’s rays will be reflected off the roof instead of overheating the house. That way, you don’t have to rely so heavily on your cooling system to keep you comfortable. You’ll save money on energy, and you’ll enjoy a more pleasant climate.
3. Easier Roof Inspections
To ensure that your roof doesn’t have significant leaks, damage, or degradation, you should have it inspected regularly. If you’re safe and experienced, you can conduct these inspections yourself, but it’s usually wiser to hire a professional roofing company, like the experts at Lowcountry Roofing & Exteriors. Either way, it’s practically impossible to thoroughly inspect a roof if it’s covered in debris. Instead of having to remove tons of leaves and branches right before an inspection, keep an eye out for that debris all year and safely remove it as it shows up.
A few pieces of debris on your roof can seem like no big deal, but that minor problem can quickly snowball into serious roofing issues. Before you know it, you’ll be experiencing ice dams on your roof, water damage in your home, and collapsed gutters. If you’re in the Isle of Palms, SC area, reach out to Lowcountry Roofing & Exteriors whenever you need your roof inspected or repaired. They’ll ensure that your roof is healthy for an affordable price and in a timely manner.