Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof will last 20-25 years, depending on damage and usual wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials will last longer, but they are more expensive to install.
The extent and quality of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or increase the time between roof replacements. If you are good about maintaining your roof, you could end up only having to install a new roof on your home once in your lifetime, so long as you give it the care it requires.
Roof replacement is expensive regardless of the type of roof. You’re a lot better off doing routine maintenance and minor repairs as they arise to help lengthen the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just can’t stand the thought of climbing a tall ladder – you can always find a licensed, certified roofer to help you with all of your maintenance and roof repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing projects to prevent roof damage before it occurs is the cheapest way to lengthen the lifetime of your roof. Here are some preventative care projects for your roof:
Cut branches hanging over your roof. Strong winds and rain can break branches and even knock over whole trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they are not regularly pruned. Falling limbs damage all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and metal roofs.
Install rain gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed on top of your rain gutters to reduce clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning you need to do and help prevent rain flowing into your yard. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning service.
Have routine inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after a couple of years, and metal roofs can get dented or start to show signs of age such as rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a roofing company can let you know if there’s an issue that should be repaired.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings renew the oils from roof shingles so they don’t dry out, making your roof last 5 years or more beyond its expected lifespan. There are regular and plant-based products so you can feel safe about spraying these coatings on your home, where they will inevitably run off and come in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation systems are in prime condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Limited ventilation can result in trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors inside of your house. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will eat away at wood and other materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
From time to time, you’ll want to complete some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done regularly, you’ll help prevent leaks and lengthen the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these chores at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof will remove debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will instantly freshen up the curb appeal. Denton Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Denton as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your rain gutters often, especially if it’s raining, to see if there are any clogs that need to be cleared. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it likely means that your roof is shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots will attach to roof shingles and other types of materials and damage them if it isn’t eliminated fast enough. Typically homeowners decide to have a professional service do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages will happen, but so long as you take care of them right away, no serious problems should occur. If you are a capable handyman, you might feel confident enough doing minor roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies are able to complete these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in optimal condition.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt bits attached to them. The texture can be removed from the shingles by debris, hail or heavy rain storms. These asphalt chunks help protect your roof. If they start coming off, the roof will begin to look worn, but, more importantly, it won’t protect what’s underneath. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is superficial.
Replace fascia. Sometimes, the section of your roof that rests between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will need to be replaced. The fascia can leak, allowing mold and mildew into your home, plus pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in the gaps on the roof where it is impossible to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks on a roof, and it is easily damaged. If more extensive work is needed, replacing the flashing is a simple project for professionals and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is often the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifespan of a roof being around 20 and 30 years, you will likely only need to replace it once or twice. Of course, if you move several times, you could end up installing quite a few roofs during your lifetime.
When buying a new house, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can also include the price of a new roof – if necessary – in the closing costs or request that the seller have the roof replaced before the sale. When selling a house, give Denton Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Denton to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.