Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof will last 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 extent and quality of care you give your roof along the way can reduce or lengthen the time between roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you might end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, as long as you give it the care it needs.
Installing a new roof is very expensive no matter the type of roof you have. You’re much better off in the long run doing maintenance and small repairs as they arise to help lengthen the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just don’t like the thought of climbing up a tall ladder – you can always find a licensed, certified roofer in High Point to give you a hand with all of your maintenance and repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent roof damage before it happens is by far the most affordable way to extend the lifetime of your roof. Here are a few preventative care tips for your roof:
Cut tree branches hanging over your roof. High winds and rain storms can break tree branches and even push over whole trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their branches onto your roof if they’re not routinely pruned. Falling limbs damage all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers installed on top of your 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 company in High Point.
Have regular inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after a couple of years, and metal roofs can get dented or start to show signs of aging like rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a company can let you know if there’s a problem that needs to be repaired.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish the oils from shingles so they don’t dry out, making 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 possibly be in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation system are in good condition. Too much or not enough 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 throughout your home. 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 need to do some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done in a timely manner, you’ll help prevent leaks and extend the lifetime of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made from.
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 reduce the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will immediately freshen up the appearance of your home. High Point Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in High Point as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out rain gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your gutters often, especially if it’s raining, to see if there are any clogs that have to be removed. 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 too shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots attach to shingles and other materials and ruin them if it isn’t eliminated fast enough. Many homeowners choose to have a professional do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but as long as you tend to them right away, no major problems should result. If you are a capable handyman, you may feel confident doing small repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in High Point are trained to complete 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 chunks help to protect your roof. If they start to come off, the roof will look worn, but, more importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a small 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 leak, letting 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 impossible to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks, and it is very easily damaged. If more extensive work is required, replacing the flashing is a simple task 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 lifetime of a roof being around 20 and 30 years, you will likely only need to install a new one one or two times. Of course, if you move several times, you might end up replacing quite a few 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 request that the home seller has the roof replaced before the sale. When trying to sell a home, give High Point Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in High Point to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.