Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof will last around 20-25 years, depending on storm damage and usual wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials will last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The amount and quality of care you give your roof can shorten or extend the time between roof replacements. If you are lucky, you might end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, just so long as you give it the attention it needs.
Roof replacement is expensive regardless of the type of roof. You’re much better off in the long run doing maintenance and small repairs as they arise to extend the lifetime of your home’s roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing skills – or just hate the idea of climbing a tall ladder – you can hire a licensed, certified roofer to help you with all of your maintenance and repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing projects to prevent most roof damage before it happens is the cheapest way to lengthen the lifetime of your home’s roof. Here are a few preventative care recommendations for your home’s roof:
Cut branches hanging over your roof. High winds and rain can break branches and even push over whole trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they are 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 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.
Schedule regular inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after only a couple of years, and metal roofs can get dented or start to show signs of age such as rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a roofing pro can let you know if there’s an issue that should be taken care of.
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 options so you can feel safe about applying these coatings on your home, where they will inevitably run off and possibly be in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in excellent condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation issue. Limited ventilation can result in trapped moisture. This can quickly cause mold and mildew growth, as well as odors inside of 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 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 chores at least once every 12 months to prevent damages and keep your home’s roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof removes debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests building nests on your home’s roof, and it will instantly freshen up the curb appeal. Oceanside Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Oceanside as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your gutters regularly, especially while it’s raining, to observe if there are any clogs that have to be cleared. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it likely means that your roof is shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots will attach to shingles and other types of materials and ruin them if it isn’t gotten rid of fast enough. Many homeowners opt to have a professional service do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but so long as you tend to them right away, no major issues should occur. If you are a capable handyman, you may feel confident doing small repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies are certified to tackle 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 knocked off the shingles by debris, hail or heavy rain storms. These asphalt pieces help to protect your home’s roof. If they start coming off, the roof will begin to look worn, but, more 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 home’s roof that rests 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, and sometimes pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in the gaps on the roof where it is difficult to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks on a roof, and it is easily damaged. If more complicated work is necessary, replacing the flashing is also a simple project for roofers and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is often 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 often, you might end up buying quite a few roofs in your lifetime.
When buying a new house, 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 prior to the sale. When selling a house, give Oceanside Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Oceanside to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.