After a winter that brought blizzard-like condition and heavy snowfall to the state and a long dry spell resulting in countless wildfires, Oklahomans are now ready for storm season.  But, after five months of extreme weather conditions, is your roof ready for spring and summer?

To help keep your roof weather-ready, Land Enterprises Roofing in Edmond recently launched an innovative Roof Maintenance Program, the first of its kind in Oklahoma. In business more than 25 years, Land Enterprises Roofing has helped thousands of customers throughout Oklahoma maintain their roofs against the elements.

As part its 12-point inspection, the company will remove debris from gutters, clean exterior skylights, inspect vents, plumbing boots and shingles, check the roof’s decking and check for and repair animal penetration or damage. Additionally, clients receive a report to show that their home has been properly maintained, adding value to the home when it comes time to sell.

With more than 3,000 roofing jobs under his belt, Brian Land, owner of Land Enterprises Roofing has learned a thing or two about keeping your roof in good shape. Here are some of his top tips for what homeowners can do to maintain their roof and keep their home safe.

Take care of your trees. Land recommends keeping your trees trimmed and away from your roof.  “Old, mature trees close to the house can actually block a lot of sun, wind and hail, all of which can damage your roof,” said Land. “However, be sure to keep your trees trimmed at least 12 inches above the roof line. If limbs are touching the shingles, they can cause damage. Of course, we can trim them as part of our service, but we’ll trim them like a roofer, so for the health of the tree it’s better to have a landscaper or licensed arborist take care of the tree trimming.”

Make sure your home can breathe. “Poor ventilation in your attic can cause the shingles to crack,” said Land.  “This isn’t covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.”

According to Land, covering turbine vents is also not a good idea.  “You’ll lose a little heat in the winter, but you should.  You don’t want to trap that warm, moist air in your attic.  It damages the insulation and causes dry rot.”  If you’re losing too much heat in the winter, Land recommends more insulation above your ceilings.

Look at the ceiling. “Look at the ceilings above sinks, showers and tubs for water stains,” said Land.  “This indicates that the pipe boot flashing, which is the plastic or metal guard around the plumbing pipes on the roof, is compromised and needs repair.”  Land also recommends going into the attic to see if any daylight is penetrating where the pipe exits the roof.

Clean your gutters. “This is something a lot of people ignore,” said Land.  “But gutters that are clogged with leaves and debris can overflow and damage the overhang of the roof and, depending on the style of the home and amount of rain, could leak into the home and damage sheetrock, wiring and carpets.

Land says it’s a good idea to walk around the outside of your home and look for peeling and cracking of the paint and water stains under the eaves.

“Leaves in gutters can dry out and become a fire hazard,” warns Land.  “All it takes is one cinder to blow into a gutter full of dry, dead leaves and twigs to cause a house to catch fire.”

Prevent carbon monoxide leaks. According to Land, vent pipes above heaters and hot water tanks can become loose and cause carbon monoxide to seep into your home. “Carbon monoxide is a silent killer so It is incredibly important that when you hire someone to install a new roof, they check to ensure your vent pipes are attached properly,” said Land.  “When we’re working on a client’s roof, we take extra caution when it comes to carbon monoxide. If we’re not 100 percent confident about the vent piping, we will call a heat and air specialist to inspect it.”

The average lifespan of a good roof can be 15-20 years, however, storm damage and disrepair can shorten its life significantly.  By maintaining your roof year-round, it can protect your home for the life of its warranty, barring severe weather damage.

Adds Land, “You wouldn’t drive your car without ever changing the oil, then why would you neglect your home – your most valuable purchase – the same way?”

For information on the types of Roof Maintenance packages available, or to schedule an inspection, call (405) 359-3951, or visit www.landroofingokc.com.

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