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Most people don't think about their roof during their day-to-day activities, at least not until they have to. Fortunately, property owners can take steps to maintain their roof and keep it lasting for several years.

Get It Inspected Regularly

Your best bet in maintaining your roof is to have a roofer come and inspect it regularly. A licensed professional with years of experience with various building materials will know how to assess your property, whether it is residential or commercial. 

Between inspections by professionals, you can also visually inspect your property yourself, especially after a bad storm. This way you can identify a problem and call a roofer before the problem worsens. Cracks where the roof is coming away from the rest of the structure, or where moisture is leaking in, are much easier to repair when they're small. Also, it can preserve the integrity of the structure of the rest of the building.

Things you will want to look out for when you are conducting your own inspection are brown or yellow water stains, or "blooms", that can appear on corners in ceilings. These stains can take a variety of shapes, and can sometimes be seen around attic doors. Closets are common spaces where people miss checking their ceiling for stains, so be sure to check yours.  Outside, you will want to check for missing shingles, clogged gutters, or dirt on the roof. If you see any of these during your visual inspection then it is time to call a professional roofer.

Remove Debris And Tree Branches

Tree branches can scratch and damage the surface of a roof, or supply an abundance of dead leaves that can lead to mold and mildew problems later on. You will want to trim tree branches or remove some trees completely in order to prevent falling branches from causing holes or other damage. 

Keep It Clean

When was the last time you had your roof professionally cleaned? It is generally recommended to do to have your roof cleaned every 1-3 years, depending on the area they live in. In more humid areas, it's best to get it washed because of the higher chance of fungus growing on or around the shingles. In cooler climates, such as Indianapolis, 

Replacing a roof costs thousands of dollars, while cleaning a roof only costs hundreds, for most residential buildings, at least. The cost can vary depending on the size of the commercial property. But the math still ends up the same - you save more money in the long run.

Hire Professional Roofing Contractors

The best way to ensure that the job is done safely and thoroughly is to hire professional roofing contractors. Hiring someone who is not a professional means running the risk that they will use low-quality materials, miss problem spots that could be easily fixed, or become injured. They won't have the vast amount of knowledge that comes with years of experience in the field. This is why it is important to only hire skilled tradesmen for any roofing job.

They can also apply protective coatings where applicable to seal off your property from the elements or small critters, such as roaches or rats. These measures fortify a structure and prevent problems from arising. Don't forget to ask whoever you hire for their credentials, and about their customer satisfaction record.