Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof lasts 20-25 years, depending on damage and wear and tear. Other roofing materials last longer, but they are more expensive to install.
The extent and level of care you give your roof can shorten or extend the time between new roof replacements. If you are good about maintaining your roof, you might end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, so long as you give it the attention it requires.
Roof replacement is very expensive regardless of the type of roof. You’re much better off in the long run doing maintenance and small repairs as needed to extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing skills – or just hate the idea of climbing a tall ladder – you can hire a licensed, certified roofer to give you a hand with all of your maintenance and repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent most roof damage before it occurs is by far the cheapest route to lengthen the lifetime of your roof. Here are a couple of preventative care tips for your roof:
Cut limbs hanging over your roof. Strong winds and rain can break limbs and even push over whole trees. Rotting, dying trees will also drop their branches right onto your roof if they are not regularly pruned. Falling limbs destroy all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install rain gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers installed on top of your rain gutters to prevent clogging. They can reduce the amount of gutter cleaning that you need to do and prevent overflow into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning service.
Have routine inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after only a few years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of age such as rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a pro will let you know if there’s an issue that should be repaired.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish the oils from shingles so they don’t dry out, helping your roof last 5 years or more beyond its expected lifespan. There are regular and plant-based products so you can feel safe about applying these products on your home, where they will inevitably run off and possibly come in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation systems are in good condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation problem. Lack of ventilation will result in trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors in your home. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will ruin wood and other home materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
From time to time, you’ll want to do some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done in a timely manner, you’ll prevent leaks and lengthen the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these chores at least once every 12 months to prevent damages and keep your roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof removes debris, mold and dirt. This will reduce the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will instantly renew the curb appeal. Union City Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Union City as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your rain gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to observe if there are clogs that should be cleared. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it likely means that your roof is too shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots can attach to shingles and other materials and damage them if it isn’t eliminated fast enough. Many homeowners prefer 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 tend to them quickly, no serious problems should occur. If you are a handyman, you might feel confident enough doing small repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies are certified to complete these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in optimal condition.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt pieces attached to them. The texture can be removed from the shingles by debris, hail or heavy rain. These asphalt chunks help to protect your roof. If they start to come off, the roof will look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s underneath. Only a small section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is only superficial.
Replace fascia. Sometimes, the section of your roof that sits between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will have to be replaced. The fascia can sometimes leak, letting mold and mildew into your home, and sometimes pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in gaps on the roof where it is hard to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks on a roof, and it is very easily damaged. If more complicated work is needed, replacing the flashing is a simple task for professionals and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is typically 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 install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you might end up installing a lot of roofs during your lifetime.
When purchasing a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can also include the price of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or ask that the home seller has the roof replaced before the sale. When selling a home, give Union City Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Union City to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.