The roof is a massive, integral part of every home. No matter how you look at it, it’s one of those components that you can’t afford to neglect. Do so, and you’ll end up with leaks, mold, and structural damage, to name just a few issues.

One of the easiest ways for your roof to become damaged is exposure to standing water on a regular basis.

What Causes Standing Water on a Roof

Standing water occurs when water won’t drain properly from your roof within 48 hours. There are several factors that could cause this issue:

• Having a flat roof
• Clogged drains
• Drains that were installed improperly
• Drainage that’s not adequate for the size of your roof

If it’s a matter of a clogged or improper drain, both issues have a simple solution. However, if you’re concerned that your home’s very architecture is causing the problem, you can still prevent standing water by scheduling routine roof maintenance. In addition, it is possible to change the landscape of the roof, as explained below.

Roof Cleaning and Maintenance

Roof Cleaning

1. To clean your roof, start by focusing on the gutters. Twice a year (or every three months if you have large trees near your house) use a spade to remove large debris such as leaves and branches. Then use a hose to wash down smaller particles, such as dirt and bird droppings.
2. To clean roof shingles, mix hot water and bleach in a bucket and pour the solution into a garden sprayer.
3. Spray individual sections of your roof with the sprayer, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and spray it off with fresh water.

Roof Maintenance

1. If your roof is flat, you can hire roofers to install structures to divert water from accumulating in specific areas. If your roof has indentations, the roofers can also use a leveling compound to keep water from pooling.
2. Remove debris that accumulates on top of your home, such as branches, leaves, and everything else you normally find in your gutters. Doing so will allow water to move freely and drain easier.
3. Go up to your attic with a flashlight to check if there are any water stains or water leaking from the roof. If so, go up to the roof to inspect the shingles around that area. If any shingles are cracked, curling, or peeling, you’ll need to replace them.
4. Purchase moss remover, follow the instructions on the back of the bottle, and spray your roof. Alternatively, you can mix bleach and water and spray the singles with a garden sprayer, following the instructions above.
5. Schedule maintenance with roof inspectors twice a year.

Learn more about keeping your roof in great shape with the help of Allied Siding & Windows

If you’re a Texas resident and you’ve been thinking about providing maintenance to your roof, don’t hesitate to call Allied Siding & Windows!

Contact us for more information about our services or stop by one of our showrooms in Austin, Dallas, or Houston!