While there are many investments you can make into your home, few are as expensive or as important as your roof. After all, it is the roof that protects you and your family against the elements, and it is the roof that provides a large part of the aesthetic of your house. Together, this makes the roof one of the most important parts of your home. Considering its importance, it should come as no surprise that your roof will require not just a high-quality installation using high-quality materials, but also continued care on your part. To that end, here are a few ways you can care for your roof to ensure that you get plenty of use out of it in the years to come:

1. Minimize Wear and Tear

As admirable as it is that you want to do a heavy amount of work on your roof, you have to remember that you, yourself, are causing a certain amount of wear and tear when you stand, sit, or walk on the surface of your roof.  Shingles and tiles can be brittle and made all the more so by your walking on them, especially when temperatures are particularly hot or cold and the roof is already under stress. Instead, remain on your ladder as much as possible and try not to walk on your roof!

2. Stay Vigilant for Signs of Damage

That being said, you should make it a point to inspect your roof in late fall and early spring of every year. Keep an eye out for loose shingles, shakes, and tiles, as well as curling, fraying, and potential tears that can lead to some serious structural damage if left unrepaired.

3. Clean Regularly

With the integrity of your roof cared for, you should also make sure to keep it clean.  Dirt, dust, and other unsavory materials often accumulate over the seasons, and they can speed up the wear and tear on your roof. Remove these and other substances that can trap moisture and shorten your roof’s life, such as algae, moss, and mildew.

4. Clean Drainage Areas Too

You shouldn’t just be cleaning the roof itself, however; make sure that you are also cleaning your gutters and downspouts. These allow for the quick and easy flow of materials, including water and leaves and other such things, from your roof to the ground where they can safely be disposed of. Occasional blockages are, of course, to be expected, but when a major blockage occurs these things can crop up atop your roof, doing further damage to the roof itself.

Be smart, be regular, and be safe, and your roof will protect you and your family for decades to come!