Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof will last around 20 years, depending on damage and usual wear and tear. Other roofing materials can last longer, but are also more expensive to install.
The extent and level of care you give your roof can reduce or increase the time between roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you could end up only having to replace your roof once in your lifetime, as long as you give it the care it needs.
Installing a new roof is very expensive regardless of the type of roof. You’re much better off doing routine maintenance and minor repairs as they arise in order to lengthen the lifetime of your home’s roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just don’t like the idea of climbing a ladder – you can call a licensed, certified roofer in Carmel to help you with all of your maintenance and repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing projects to prevent most roof damage before it occurs is the cheapest route to extend the lifetime of your home’s roof. Here are a couple of preventative care recommendations for your home’s roof:
Cut tree limbs that hang over your roof. Strong winds and rain storms can break tree limbs and even push over trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches right onto your roof if they are not routinely pruned. Falling limbs damage all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install rain gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed on top of your rain gutters to prevent clogging. They can reduce the amount of gutter cleaning you need to do and prevent overflow into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning company in Carmel.
Schedule routine inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after only a few years, and metal roofs will be dented or start to show signs of age such as rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a roofing company can let you know if there’s a problem that should be repaired.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings renew the oils from 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 options so you can feel safe about spraying these products on your home, where they will run off and possibly be in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in good condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation can result in trapped moisture. This can quickly cause mold and mildew growth, as well as odors in your home. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will eat away at wood and other home materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
From time to time, you’ll have to do some general maintenance on your home’s roof. If this is done regularly, you’ll prevent leaks and extend the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these projects at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your home’s roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof removes debris, mold and dirt. This will reduce the risk of pests building nests on your home’s roof, and it will freshen up the appearance of your home. Carmel Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Carmel as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your rain gutters regularly, especially while it’s raining, to see if there are clogs that have to be removed. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it likely means that your roof is 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 prefer to have a professional service do this so no damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages will happen, but as long as you tend to them quickly, no serious problems should result. If you are a handyman, you might feel confident enough doing minor repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers in Carmel are able to complete these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in good shape.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt bits attached to them. The texture can be knocked off the shingles by debris, hail or heavy rain. These asphalt chunks help to protect your home’s roof. If they start coming off, the roof will start to 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 only superficial.
Replace fascia. Sometimes, 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 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 impossible to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks, and it is very easily damaged. If more complicated work is required, replacing the flashing is also 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 lifespan of a roof being around 20 and 30 years, you will likely only need to replace it one or two times. Of course, if you move often, you could end up replacing 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 price of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or request that the home seller have the roof replaced before the sale. When trying to sell a home, give Carmel Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Carmel to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.