Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The average shingle roof lasts around 20-25 years, more or less depending on storm damage and natural wear and tear. Other roofing materials can last longer, but they are more expensive to install.
The amount and quality of care you give your roof along the way can reduce or extend the time between roof replacements. If you are lucky, you could end up only having to replace your roof once in your lifetime, just so long as you give it the care it needs.
Installing a new roof is very expensive regardless of the type of roof you have. You’re a lot better off doing maintenance and minor repairs as they arise to help extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing abilities – or just hate the idea of climbing up a tall ladder – you can find a licensed, certified roofer to help you with all your maintenance and roof repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent most roof damage before it occurs is the cheapest way to extend the lifetime of your roof. Here are some preventative care projects for your roof:
Cut tree branches that hang over your roof. High winds and rain can break tree branches and even knock over trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their branches onto your roof if they’re not routinely pruned. Falling limbs ruin all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers installed on top of your gutters to prevent clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning you need to do and help prevent overflow into your yard. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning company.
Have regular inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after a couple of years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of age like rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a roofing company can let you know if there’s a problem that has to be repaired.
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 applying these coatings on your home, where they will inevitably run off and come in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in excellent condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation can result in trapped moisture. This can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as odors in your house. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will ruin wood and other home materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Every once in a while, you’ll have to do some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done in a timely manner, you’ll help prevent leaks and extend 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 limit the risk of pests building nests on your roof, and it will freshen up the appearance of your home. ATL Pressure Wash Co. offers roof cleaning in Atlanta as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to see if there are clogs that have to be removed. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months 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 will attach to roof shingles and other materials and damage them if it isn’t gotten rid of quickly. 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 take care of them right away, no major issues should result. If you are a handyman, you may feel confident doing minor roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers are more than willing 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. These asphalt chunks 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 underneath. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is 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 need 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 the gaps on the roof where it is hard to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks, and it is very easily damaged. If more complicated work is needed, replacing the flashing is 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 around 20 and 30 years, you will probably only need to install a new one one or two times. Of course, if you move frequently, you could end up replacing quite a few roofs during your lifetime.
When buying a new house, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can also include the price of a new roof – if necessary – in the closing costs or ask that the home seller has the roof replaced prior to the sale. When selling a house, give ATL Pressure Wash Co. a call for professional roof cleaning in Atlanta to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.