Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof will last 20-25 years, depending on storm damage and usual wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials will last longer, but are also more expensive to install.
The extent and level of care you give your roof along the way can reduce or lengthen the time between new roof replacements. If you are lucky, you could end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, as long as you give it the maintenance it requires.
Installing a new roof is expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re better off in the long run doing routine maintenance and minor repairs as needed in order to extend the lifetime of your home’s roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just don’t like the idea of climbing up a tall ladder – you can call a licensed, certified roofer to help you with all of your maintenance and roof repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent roof damage before it occurs is the cheapest way to lengthen the lifetime of your home’s roof. Here are a couple of preventative care recommendations for your home’s roof:
Cut tree limbs hanging over your roof. Powerful winds and rain can break tree limbs and even knock over trees. Decaying, dying trees will also drop their heavy branches right onto your roof if they’re not regularly pruned. Falling limbs damage 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 reduce 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 job to a roofer or gutter cleaning service.
Schedule routine inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after a couple of years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of aging such as rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a roofing pro will let you know if there’s a problem that has to be taken care of.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish 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 products on your home, where they will inevitably run off and possibly come in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in prime condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation problem. Limited ventilation will cause trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as odors throughout your home. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will eat away at wood and other home materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Every once in a while, you’ll have to complete some general maintenance on your home’s 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 projects at least once every 12 months to prevent damages and keep your home’s roof looking nice:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof removes debris, mold and dirt. This will reduce the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your home’s roof, and it will instantly freshen up the curb appeal. Memphis Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Memphis as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your gutters often, especially if it’s raining, to see if there are clogs that have to be cleared. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it means that your roof is shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots attach to roof shingles and other types of materials and damage them if it isn’t gotten rid of fast enough. Typically homeowners choose to have a professional service do this so no damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but as long as you take care of them right away, no major problems should occur. If you are a capable handyman, you might feel confident doing minor 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 strong rain. These asphalt pieces help to protect your home’s roof. If they start to come off, the roof will start to look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a small section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is superficial.
Replace fascia. Occasionally, the part of your home’s roof that sits between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will also have to be replaced. The fascia can leak, allowing mold and mildew into your home, plus pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in gaps on the roof where it is impossible to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks, and it is easily damaged. If more complicated work is needed, replacing the flashing is also an easy task for professionals 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 around 20 and 30 years, you will probably only need to replace it one or two times. Of course, if you move often, you could end up installing a lot of roofs during your lifetime.
When buying a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can include the cost of a new roof – if necessary – in the closing costs or ask that the home seller have the roof replaced before the sale. When selling a home, give Memphis Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Memphis to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.