Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof lasts 20-25 years, more or less depending on storm damage and natural wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials will last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The extent and quality of care you give your roof along the way can reduce or lengthen the time between roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you might end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, just so long as you give it the care it needs.
Roof replacement is expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re a lot better off in the long run doing routine maintenance and small repairs as they arise to lengthen the lifetime of your home’s roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing skills – or just don’t like the thought of climbing up a ladder – you can always call a licensed, certified roofer to give you a hand with all of your maintenance and roof repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing projects to prevent most roof damage before it occurs is by far the cheapest way to increase the lifetime of your home’s roof. Here are some preventative care projects for your home’s roof:
Cut tree limbs that hang over your roof. Gusting winds and rain can break tree limbs and even push over whole trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their branches onto your roof if they’re not regularly pruned. Falling limbs ruin all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed over your gutters to reduce clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning that you need to do and prevent rain flowing into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards yourself or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning company.
Have regular inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after only a couple of years, and metal roofs will be dented or start to show signs of aging like rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a roofing pro can let you know if there’s an issue that has to be taken care of.
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 options so you can feel safe about putting these coatings on your home, where they will inevitably run off and come in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in good condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation can cause trapped moisture. This can quickly cause mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors throughout your house. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will eat away at wood and other home materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Here and there, you’ll want to do some general maintenance on your home’s roof. If this is done in a timely manner, you’ll prevent leaks and increase the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these projects at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your home’s 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 home’s roof, and it will freshen up the appearance of your home. Lakewood Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Lakewood as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out rain gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your gutters often, especially if it’s raining, to observe if there are clogs that need to be removed. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it probably means that your roof is shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots can attach to roof shingles and other types of materials and ruin them if it isn’t gotten rid of fast enough. Many homeowners choose to have a professional do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages will happen, but so long as you tend to them quickly, no serious issues should result. If you are a handyman, you may feel confident doing small roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies are able to tackle 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 pieces help protect your home’s roof. If they start coming off, the roof will start 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 only superficial.
Replace fascia. Occasionally, the part of your home’s roof that rests between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will also need to be replaced. The fascia can leak, letting mold and mildew into your home, plus pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in gaps on the roof where it is difficult to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks, and it is easily damaged. If more complicated work is necessary, replacing the flashing is also an easy project for roofers and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is one of the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifespan of a roof being between 20 and 30 years, you will probably only need to install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move several times, you might end up replacing quite a few roofs during your lifetime.
When purchasing a new house, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can also include the cost of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or request that the home seller have the roof replaced prior to the sale. When trying to sell a house, give Lakewood Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Lakewood to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.