How To Extend the Life Of Your Roof
If asked what your favorite thing about your home was, you'd probably rattle off a list of things you love.
You'd probably have a hard time picking just one thing you liked the most about your home.
But one thing that's probably not on that list that definitely should be is your roof.
Your roof shades you from the sun, helps keep you dry when it rains, cool when it's hot, and warm when it's cold.
Still, many people take the health of their roof for granted.
It's likely not deliberate. It's just one of those "out of sight out of mind" things.
But one of the best things you can do for your home is to take a proactive approach to ensure your roof's health.
A typical residential roof's lifespan is somewhere between 15 and 25 years, depending on the type of roof you have.
Regular roof maintenance will extend the life of your roof to make sure you get the most out of it.
In the article below, we will discuss several ways you can extend the life of your roof.
Keep Your Roof Clean
An easy thing you can do to extend the life of your roof is to keep it clean.
Sometimes this means climbing up onto your roof and removing debris after a storm.
Most of the time, though, keeping your roof cleans simply means keeping your gutters clean.
Since most roofs are sloped, it prevents debris from staying on the roof, but it sends it all to the gutters.
A clogged gutter will eventually overflow, causing water damage to the connecting boards.
It can also damage the trim underneath them and cause window frames to rot.
Maintain Your Gutters
Taking care of your gutters deserves its own section because taking care of them does more for your home than most people realize.
Not only does it save your roof and surrounding areas from water damage, but it also keeps the leaves from making your home look shabby.
Those leaves also invite pests that can cause damage of their own.
You don't want to have to worry about damage from pests on top of the water damage.
Keeping gutters clean goes a long way to extending the life of your roof.
Trim Overhead Branches
Everyone loves sitting underneath a lovely shade tree, but it's not so good for the health of your roof.
The problems a large shade tree can cause can far outweigh the benefits of the shade if it isn't properly maintained.
If you don't clear the leaves from your roof, it can trap moisture under them. And it can also clog the gutters.
The large branches can fall and damage your roof during a storm, and any branch that contacts your roof, no matter the size, will scratch the surface.
That scratch may seem small and insignificant at first, but you will start to notice the effects over time.
Keep your tree trimmed and sacrifice a bit of shade to make your roof last a little longer.
Inspect your Roof
Roof inspections don't need to be done all the time, but it is worth it to have a professional roofing contractor to check your roof once in a while.
A roof inspection once a year is suitable for an older roof, and if you have a newer roof, you can get away with an inspection every three years.
Either way, it's a good idea to get your roof inspected semi-regularly.
Roof inspections are worth your money because if any damage is found during the inspection, it will be much cheaper to fix if it is caught in the early stages.
The longer damage to your roof goes undetected, the worse it is likely to get. Small repairs can turn into major projects quickly.
The money you save in the long run paying for roof inspections rather than thousands of dollars in roof damage will add up quickly.
Make Sure Your Attic Stays Ventilated
A properly ventilated attic allows cool air to enter the attic and the warm, humid air to escape.
If too much moisture accumulates in your attic it can lead to mold that will damage your insulation and roof.
Keeping your attic properly ventilated will also save money on your cooling bills.
Hot air trapped in your attic will warm your entire house and cause your air conditioner to run nonstop.
Proper ventilation requires soffit vents in the lower section of the attic and roof vents at the highest part of the attic.
This allows the cool air to enter and the hot air to exit.
Prevent Ice Dams
One of the best things you can do for your roof doesn't have anything to do with your roof.
But it does have more to do with the insulation in your attic.
Your attic needs the right amount of insulation so water can't freeze on your roof, creating ice dams that will eventually melt and cause significant water damage.
Another way to prevent ice dams is to clean the snow off of your roof with a rake.
You need to at least clear three to four feet from around your gutters.
Keep Tabs on It
Between professional inspections of your roof, you should keep an eye on it to make sure everything is in order.
Be aware of the condition of your roof and shingles, especially after storms.
Taking a walk around your house and giving your roof a visual inspection can go a long way in extending the life of your roof.
Take note of any asphalt shingle granules that are chipping away or entire shingles that have blown off your roof.
Look out for any curled shingles or damaged flashing around your vents and skylights as well.
Speak To The Professionals
These are some fundamental things you can do to extend the life of your roof.
Everything you own will last longer if it is taken care of properly, including your roof.
There's no need to obsess over the health of your roof, but you should always be mindful of it so you can extend the life of your roof.
Hopefully, the tips above will help you catch problems early before they become major repairs or even a full-on roof replacement.
If you have noticed something wrong with your roof, like a damaged gutter, missing shingles, or damage from a fallen branch, please don't hesitate to reach out to the professionals.
The team at TK Roofing and Gutters can come out and inspect your roof and quickly take care of any damage they find.
And in the unfortunate event that you need a new roof, they will go over the costs of the replacement and make a plan to get you your new roof.
To schedule your Free Inspection and Estimate with a certified roofing contractor at TK Roofing and Gutters, call 330-525-8607.