Tip of the Month: Maintain Your Roof and Gutters in Southern Maryland
John F. Kennedy said, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” Sometimes it’s easy to forget about the areas of your home you don’t see everyday, but that’s exactly when problems arise. Stay ahead of repairs by regularly inspecting them to avoid worse problems later.
The roof and gutters on your rental property can be easily neglected, but with a little proactive maintenance you can protect your rental and avoid costly repairs.
Maintenance Tips for Roof and Gutters
- Replace curling, buckling or cracking shingles
- Ensure no gaps in the flashing around skylights, vent pipes and chimneys
- Seal all seams and joints properly, and block small entry holes used by pests
- Ensure gutters are secured and sloped correctly for proper drainage to prevent standing water
- Clean gutters and downspouts to prevent leakage and back-up
- Clear debris from roofline valleys and other build-up areas
- Trim branches near or overhanging roof
Fall is a great time to inspect your roof and rain gutters on your rental property in preparation for the rainy or snowy season. Your Real Property Management office can assist you in evaluating your roof to avoid problems so that you aren’t left with a major repair in the spring.
First published by Real Property Management Gold on November 18, 2015. Details may have changed since then; current rules are in the Landlord Center.
