Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof lasts around 20-25 years, depending on storm damage and natural wear and tear. Other roofing materials last longer, but they are more expensive to install.
The amount and level of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or extend the time between roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you could end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, so long as you give it the care it needs.
Installing a new roof is expensive regardless of the type of roof you have. You’re a lot better off in the long run doing maintenance and minor repairs as they arise in order to extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing skills – or just can’t stand the idea of climbing up a ladder – you can always find a licensed, certified roofer to give you a hand with all your maintenance and roof repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent roof damage before it happens is the most affordable way to extend the lifetime of your roof. Here are a few preventative care ideas for your roof:
Cut tree limbs hanging over your roof. Gusting winds and rain can break tree limbs and even push over trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their branches right onto your roof if they’re not routinely pruned. Falling limbs ruin all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install rain gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers installed on top of your rain gutters to reduce clogging. They can reduce the amount of gutter cleaning that you have 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.
Have regular inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after only a couple of years, and metal roofs will be dented or start 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 taken care of.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish the oils from roof shingles so they don’t dry out, helping your roof last 5 years or more beyond its expected lifetime. There are regular and plant-based products so you can feel safe about putting these coatings on your home, where they will run off and be in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation systems are in prime condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation can lead to trapped moisture. This can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors inside of your home. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will eat away at wood and other materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Here and there, you’ll need to complete some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done often enough, you’ll prevent leaks and extend the lifetime 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 will remove debris, mold and dirt. This will reduce the risk of pests building nests on your roof, and it will renew the appearance of your home. DBC Jacksonville Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Jacksonville as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out rain gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your rain gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to see if there are clogs that have to be cleared. Most gutter experts recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it probably means that your roof is shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots can attach to roof shingles and other materials and damage them if it isn’t eliminated fast enough. Typically homeowners decide to have a professional service do this so no damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages will happen, but so long as you take care of them quickly, no major problems should result. 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 pieces attached to them. The texture can be removed from the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain storms. These asphalt chunks help to protect your roof. If they start to come off, the roof will look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is only superficial.
Replace fascia. Sometimes, the part of your roof that rests 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, let alone pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in gaps on the roof where it is difficult to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks, and it is easily damaged. If more extensive work is required, replacing the flashing is a simple task 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 lifetime of a roof being around 20 and 30 years, you will probably only have to install a new one one or two times. Of course, if you move frequently, you could end up buying 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 cost 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 selling a home, give DBC Jacksonville Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Jacksonville to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.