Spring has sprung, the flowers are blooming, the weather is beautiful, and it’s time for our fifth maintenance tip in our Home Fitness Plan for 2019! We’re focused on getting your home looking good and in great shape for the year. As your local JoCo Realtors, our passion is homes, so whether you’re selling or staying in your home this year, the Tina Barletta Team wants to get your place looking phenomenal!
Home Maintenance 101 from the Tina Barletta Team
So far, we’ve focused on four exercises: First, we covered powerwashing. Next, we put our lawns on a feeding plan. Then, we spiffed up our front porches. And last time, we focused on making those windows sparkle.
Ready for home maintenance tip #5? Here we go… 3, 2, 1…
Clean Your Roof!
Think of the roof on your home like the hair on your head; if it’s dirty, everybody knows it! If your roof has black streaks, it needs to be cleaned. Streaks are the results of living in a humid climate where a specific form of algae grows.
For this project, we definitely recommend hiring a professional, but here are some things you can do yourself to keep your roof in top shape.
Use a Detergent Spray for Light Cleaning
If you’ve recently had your roof cleaned or it’s fairly new, you might not need a full professional cleaning. Instead, keep the algae at bay with a DIY detergent spray.
Simply mix hot water, bleach, and detergent in a bucket and pour into your garden sprayer. Spray onto the roof and let it sit about fifteen minutes. You may want to do some light scrubbing with a broom at this point, then rinse with clean water.
Install Zinc Strips
Keep those streaks at bay after your cleaning by installing zinc strips along the edge of the roof. These strips can help prevent algae growth by forming a harmless zinc oxide when rainwater runs over them, creating a protective coating. Best of all, these strips are environmentally friendly and last long-term.
Inspect Regularly
One of the most important things you can do for your roof is to inspect it on a regular basis. Keep an eye out for things like mold or streaks, signs of damage, or low-hanging trees. Keeping an eye on your roof can help you stay on top of maintenance and repairs; it’s easier to tackle small projects regularly than to wait until they become big projects!
Make Repairs
If you happen to notice a missing or damaged shingle, repair it ASAP! Weakened or absent shingles can make your home vulnerable to water damage or underlying rot. If you have asphalt shingle roofing, you can pretty easily do this yourself by lifting adjacent shingles, removing the damaged shingle, and replacing it with a new shingle.
Keep it Debris-Free
Probably the simplest thing you can do to keep your roof in good shape is to regularly clear it of leaves, sticks, and other debris. Not only can these clog your gutters and cause water to back up in the attic, but clumps of leaves tend to hold moisture and can be a haven for mildews and molds.
Selling in Johnston County?
The Tina Barletta Team is in the business of selling homes, so if you are selling in Johnston County, call us! Even if you aren’t looking to sell but need some help getting your home in shape, we can help you find contractors to get the job done.