Tips For Maintaining Your Roof To Make It Last Longer
By: Alex | Date Posted: June 24, 2021
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Roof maintenance is crucial if you want your roof to last longer and perform its functions efficiently. Unfortunately, many homeowners tend to neglect their roofs until they become severely damaged and require costly repairs or replacements.
But even though you will eventually replace your roof, taking good care of it will somehow reduce the costs that come with roof maintenance. In this article, we give you some incredible tips that can help you maintain your roof and extend its lifespan. Let’s delve into them.
1. Inspect your shingles regularly
According to Frisco Roofing contractors, one of the best tips for maintaining your roof is to check your shingles regularly, especially after high winds and storms.
When checking your shingles, you should look out for:
- Missing shingles
- Cracked shingles
- Curling shingles
- Missing granules
Any of the damages mentioned above are signs that your roof could be potentially damaged. You should take this opportunity to consult a professional roofing maintenance and repair specialist to consider getting the necessary repairs done.
2. Wash your roof
Washing your roof is also another crucial tip that can help you maintain your roof. After some time, your roof will start to look dirty. You may notice algae growing on your roof. While algae may not cause any instant damage, if left for quite a long time, it can make your roof slowly rot. Cleaning your roof has several benefits, including keeping your roof clean throughout, maintaining your property’s value, extending your roof’s lifespan, and increasing curb appeal to your property.
To remove any unwanted stuff on your roof, such as algae, you need to wash it. When cleaning your roof, avoid using harmful chemicals. This may just end up causing more damage to the roof. Instead, use a wire brush and a 6-inch rowel with a natural cleaning solution. This will leave your roof looking sparkling clean. For best results, you can hire professional roof cleaners to help you clean your roof.
3. Clean the gutters
You should periodically inspect your gutters to see if it is clogged. Leaves and dirt buildup can cause your gutter to clog, causing problems with properly draining. Clogged gutters can lead to ruined paint on siding and a wet basement. Fixing the damage caused by a clogged gutter can cost you a significant amount of money. Fortunately, you can avoid that by cleaning your gutters regularly, especially each fall and spring. You can do it yourself if you are a pro or hire a professional to do it for you.
4. Watch for leaks
Leaks are one of the top ways you can tell that something is wrong with your roof. If you find water stains inside your house, it could mean that there are leaks in your attic and/or ceiling. Here are some of the most warning signs of a leak:
- Water stains on your ceiling
- Musty odors in certain rooms
- Bulging parches on your interior walls
If you notice any of the above signs, you should contact a professional roofer to patch up the hole in your roof that’s causing the leakage.
5. Get rid of moss
Moss can cause significant damage to the roof. If left to grow unintended, moss can damage all types of roofs, including wood, asphalt, and concrete. You will have to remove the moss. You can do so by scrubbing it away.
6. Remove snow from your roof.
Snow buildup on your roof can also significantly damage your roof. If your roof is a bit old, a heavy amount of snow sitting on it can result in the possibility of roof collapse. To remove the snow from your roof, use a snow rake to scrape away the snow you can reach. This will help reduce the weight of the snow on your roof, hence reducing the chance of roof collapse.
7. Trim trees around the house
While having trees in your compound can add curb appeal to your home, they can also cause some problems, especially if they are too close to your roof. A bit of trimming can keep leaves and moss off your roof, hence keeping your roof damage-free. In addition to that, overhanging branches can give rodents access to your roof. So try as much as you can to keep your branches 10 feet away from your roof.
8. Ensure proper insulation and ventilation
If your roof is properly insulated and ventilated, it is less likely to be affected by excess moisture, which can make it rot. Hire a roofing contractor to inspect your attic and verify that you have the right amount of insulation. A roof that is properly insulated can prevent ice dams. Additionally, adequately ventilated roofs can save homeowners a significant amount of money on their electric bills since their air conditioners won’t have to work very hard to keep the house cool.
9. Get a professional roof inspection.
One of the best ways you can maintain your roof is by hiring a professional to come and inspect your roof regularly. Through routine roof inspections, it will be easy to detect an issue before it escalates and becomes a major issue, which may require a significant amount of money to fix. Make sure the person you hire is trained and certified in roofing matters. So be sure to organize a regular professional roof inspection if you want to extend the lifespan of your roof.
Final thoughts
Maintaining your roof is crucial if you want it to serve you a bit longer. Not only that, a properly maintained roof will look beautiful, hence adding curb appeal to your home and increasing its value. The best thing is that maintaining your roof isn’t that difficult. The rule of thumb is that if you feel that something is wrong with your roof, you need to contact a roofing contractor as soon as possible. The earlier a problem is identified and fixed, the better for you. This will help you avoid costly repairs, which are common with roofing issues diagnosed later.
Thank you for reading!
