Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof lasts 20 years, more or less depending on storm damage and usual wear and tear. Other roofing materials can last longer, but they are more expensive to install.
The extent and quality of care you give your roof 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.
Installing a new roof is very expensive no matter the type of roof you have. You’re much better off doing routine maintenance and small repairs as needed to help extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing skills – or just can’t stand the idea of climbing a tall ladder – you can always find a licensed, certified roofer to help you with all your maintenance and roof repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing projects to prevent most roof damage before it happens is the most affordable route to lengthen the lifetime of your roof. Here are some preventative care recommendations for your roof:
Cut limbs that hang over your roof. High winds and rain storms can break limbs and even push over trees. Rotting, dying trees will also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they are not routinely pruned. Falling limbs destroy all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and 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 you need to do and help prevent rain flowing into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards yourself or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning service.
Have routine inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after a couple of years, and metal roofs can get dented or begin to show signs of age such as rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a roofing pro will let you know if there’s an issue that should be handled.
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 landscaping.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation systems are in excellent condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation will cause trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as odors in your home. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will wreak havoc on wood and other materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Here and there, 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 materials it’s made of.
Do these chores at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your roof looking nice:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof will remove debris, mold and dirt. This will reduce the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will immediately renew the appearance of your home. Rancho Cordova Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Rancho Cordova as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your rain gutters often, especially while it’s raining, to see if there are clogs that need to be cleared. Most gutter experts recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it means that your roof is too shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots can attach to roof shingles and other materials and ruin them if it isn’t eliminated fast enough. Typically homeowners prefer to have a professional service do this so no damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but so long as you take care of them quickly, no major problems should result. If you are a handyman, you might feel confident doing small roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers are trained to tackle these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in good shape.
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. These asphalt pieces 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 below. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is superficial.
Replace fascia. Occasionally, the section of your roof that rests between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will have to be replaced. The fascia can sometimes leak, allowing mold and mildew into your home, and sometimes pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in gaps on the roof where it is impossible to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks on a roof, and it is very easily damaged. If more extensive work is necessary, replacing the flashing is an easy project 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 probably only need to install a new one one or two times. Of course, if you move several times, you could end up replacing a lot of roofs in your lifetime.
When buying 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 request that the seller have the roof replaced prior to the sale. When trying to sell a home, give Rancho Cordova Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Rancho Cordova to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.