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Basic Roof Maintenance  Working on or around a roof can be dangerous. Use good common sense when around hazardous areas. Always wear and use approved safety equipment.Shoes Wear suitable footwear. Tennis shoes with good support will provide traction and will minimize damage to the shakes or shingles. Steel toed tennis style shoes are available that will offer protection against items being dropped on your feet. Step right Avoid walking on a cedar roof that is hot from the sun. The roof could be very dry and brittle and be susceptible to damage. Never walk or stand on the lower end (butt end) of the shake or shingle to avoid cracking or weakening. Shingles and tapersawn shakes lay flat, therefore will not crack as easily. Carefully place your feet directly against the butt end of the row above. Run Leaders to the ground Run downspouts (leaders) to the ground onto splashblocks slanting away from the foundation, or directly to another gutter below, never onto a lower roof surface. Never block off roof ventilation Such as louvers, ridge vents or soffit vents, even in winter. One of the most critical factors in roof durability is proper ventilation. Without it, heat and moisture build up in the attic area and combine to cause rafters and sheathing to rot, roofing to buckle and insulation to lose its effectiveness. Also, ice dams frequently occur when attics are not properly ventilated. Estimate 1 square foot of ventilation for each 150 square feet of attic floor area. Sweep clean Remove debris (branches, pine needles, leaves, etc.). Leaving debris on the roof retains moisture and encourages decay. This accummulation could also impede the run-off rain water which then could result in leaks. Being careful not to damage the shakes or shingles, clean by using a stiff broom or brush. Remove foreign matter from the spaces (keyways) between individual shakes or shingles. Clean Gutters & Downspouts Every Spring and Fall clean your gutters and downspouts. Clean your gutters first using a hard brush and trowel. Clean downspouts after cleaning gutters by flushing with a garden hose. 
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