Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof lasts 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 along the way can reduce or increase the time between new roof replacements. If you are good about caring for your roof, 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.
Roof replacement is expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re much better off in the long run doing maintenance and small repairs as they arise to lengthen the lifetime of your home’s roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing abilities – or just hate the idea of climbing up a tall ladder – you can always call a licensed, certified roofer to give you a hand with all your maintenance and repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent roof damage before it happens is the most affordable route to increase the lifetime of your home’s roof. Here are a few preventative care ideas for your home’s roof:
Cut tree limbs hanging over your roof. High winds and rain storms can break tree limbs and even knock over trees. Decaying, dying trees will also drop their branches onto your roof if they’re not 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 limit the amount of gutter cleaning that you have to do and prevent rain flowing into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning service.
Schedule routine inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after only a couple of years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of aging like rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a company will let you know if there’s a problem that should be handled.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings renew 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 products so you can feel safe about putting these coatings on your home, where they will run off and come in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation system are in prime condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Limited ventilation will lead to trapped moisture. This can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors in your home. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will wreak havoc on wood and other home materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Every once in a while, 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 increase the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these chores at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your home’s roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof will remove 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 appearance of your home. MXG McKinney Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in McKinney as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out rain gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your rain gutters often, especially while it’s raining, to see if there are clogs that need to be removed. Most gutter experts recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it probably means that your roof is too shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots can attach to shingles and other types of materials and ruin them if it isn’t eliminated fast enough. Most homeowners prefer 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 tend to them quickly, no major issues should result. If you are a handyman, you might feel confident doing small 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 removed from the shingles by debris, hail or heavy rain. These asphalt pieces help protect your home’s roof. If they start coming off, the roof will start to look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s underneath. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is only superficial.
Replace fascia. Occasionally, the part of your home’s roof that rests between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will also need to be replaced. The fascia can leak, allowing mold and mildew into your home, plus 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, and it is easily damaged. If more complicated work is required, replacing the flashing is also a simple project 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 lifespan of a roof being between 20 and 30 years, you will probably only have to replace it one or two times. Of course, if you move often, you could end up installing quite a few roofs in your lifetime.
When buying a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can also include the cost of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or request that the home seller has the roof replaced before the sale. When selling a home, give MXG McKinney Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in McKinney to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.