To avoid the potentially high costs of significant roofing repair, Massachusetts homeowners need to keep their roofs properly maintained at all times. Although some residents don't ever give their roofs a thought until they need roofing repair, Massachusetts homeowners really do need to have a positive relationship with a reliable roofing contractor all the time. Even for homeowners who are able to tackle some or all of the roofing maintenance themselves, this relationship is imperative for one big reason: Storm-related damage often requires immediate attention, and just after a storm is the worst time to be interviewing roofing contractors.

The majority of homeowners prefer not to handle their own roof maintenance, as this is a dangerous task that is truly best left to professionals who know what to look for and how to fix it properly. Maintenance, however, goes beyond quarterly or semi-annual inspections. Proper roof maintenance includes these inspections, plus inspections after every major storm, and then, of course, requires attending to any necessary maintenance work or roofing repair. Massachusetts homeowners who make roof upkeep a priority will find that their homes fare better in major storms than those who neglect their roofs, and this will ultimately save the more cautious homeowners money in potentially costly repairs.

Inspections and routine maintenance are a great first step. But there are some other things homeowners can do to keep their roofs in good working order. First, ensure that the home's gutters are functioning properly. When gutters become clogged, water settles. This provides a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and rust. As the rust eats away at the gutters, holes form, causing leaks and weak spots. Additionally, clogs will cause rainwater to back up instead of flowing through the gutters and downspouts and away from the home. In this situation, water will not only overflow out over the edges of the gutters, but it will also cause water to back up onto the roof. When this happens, and water settles on the roof, causing roof damage and leaks.

To avoid clogged gutters, many homeowners opt to add gutter guards. Gutter guards are made of a variety of materials and are used to prevent debris from entering gutters and causing clogs. Most gutter guards, such as gutter screens, have holes in them so that water can flow through but large pieces of debris are kept out. However, over time, small debris adds up and clogs can still form. Solid-surface gutter guards are a more practical solution. These devices use surface tension to direct water into the gutters despite having a fairly flat, non-perforated top surface. Almost no debris can enter the gutters, which ultimately means gutter cleaning is a thing of the past and clogs are non-existent.

In cold-weather areas, particularly those with a tendency to experience significant snowfall each year, solid-surface gutter guards work best when paired with heated cables. Some gutter guard manufacturers offer optional heated cables, which prevent roof damage by inhibiting excessive snow buildup, ice accumulation, and frozen gutters. When choosing a heated cable system, ensure that it can be secured behind the gutters so it doesn't show. More importantly, always make sure that the cable is GFCI-protected and capable of sensing the ambient temperature so it can automatically turn on and off, saving energy and helping homeowners avoid going out in the snow to turn it on.