11 Tips to Maintain and Maximize your Roof life

The roof is an integral part of our lives which we often take for granted. 

It provides us with shelter and protection from the elements. But there are some precautions that you should take to maintain and maximize your Roof life.

A roof can be one of the most expensive parts of your home to replace, so it’s only natural that homeowners would want to make sure their roofs are kept in tiptop shape for as long as possible. 

But how do you know if your roof needs to be repaired? 

And even if your roof is fine, what preventative measures should you be taking to extend its life? 

This article will discuss seven roof maintenance tips to follow.

Given that a roof replacement cost may vary anywhere from $7,000 to $40,000, ensuring that your roof lasts as long as possible is important. Your roof might endure anywhere from 15-20 years to well over 30 years, depending on the material. 

Regardless, proper roof maintenance may extend the life of your roof by at least 25%. At Energy Roofing, we want to help you get the most out of your money and avoid having to replace your roof too soon. 

A number of roof problems can arise due to neglecting basic upkeep and maintenance procedures.  A few examples are:

1) Improper cleaning

2) Poor ventilation or insulation

3) Letting debris or vegetation build up on your roof’s surface

4) Not repairing damaged shingles in a timely manner

Tips to Ensure Maximum Roof Life

To make your roof last a long time, follow these guidelines:

• Inspect your Shingles

To inspect your roof shingles, first, you have to remove any snow or ice that may be on the roof. Next, you should examine the underlayment of your roof. You can do this by removing any loose material that is on top of it. 

Finally, you should examine the shingles for any signs of wear and tear.

You have to make sure that your roof is in good condition, so it does not leak or cause problems with the structural integrity of your home.

• Trim Tree Branches and Landscaping

The first step in trimming a tree is to determine which way the tree is growing. The goal is to cut off any branches that are growing into the street, sidewalk, or power lines. 

The second step in trimming a tree is to cut off any branches that are growing too low. This includes branches that are lower than the roofline of your house or lower than the power lines.

The third step in trimming a tree is to cut off any dead or diseased branches. These should be cut at least one-half inch below where they start from the trunk of the tree and should be removed as close to their base as possible. 

The fourth step in trimming a tree is to remove all broken, weak, and crossing limbs that could pose a safety risk if left unattended.

• Ice Dams Can Be Avoided

If your roof is prone to ice formation, removing part or all of the snow between storms may help prevent leaks into your home. If you try to pry ice that has already formed off the roof, you risk damaging it. 

Dislodge snow within three or four feet of the gutters with a roof rake. If at all feasible, use a telescopic pole and work from the ground. If you must use a ladder, work at an angle to avoid being pushed over by falling snow.

• Clean the Gutters

Gutters are the spaces between your roof and the gutter. They are designed to collect rainwater, which flows down to a drainpipe before it gets into the house.

Gutters need to be cleaned periodically in order to avoid leaks that can cause damage inside your home. You can clean them from time to time by using a hose or a pressure washer.

• Get Rid of Moss

Composition roofs in several parts of the country are frequently covered in black algae. This filmy growth is ugly, but it does not harm the roof. It can be killed with a little chlorine bleach or detergent combined with water, but it’s safer for you and the roof if you just leave it alone.

Moss is likely to grow on your roof if you reside in the Northwest, especially on wood or composition shingles. 

Moss, which has a more three-dimensional appearance than algae, must be removed because it collects water. You can simply whisk it away if you deal with it early enough.

You may need to kill the moss first if there is a lot of it. The Washington Toxics Coalition advises utilizing potassium salt-based products.

• Regularly wash your roof with pressurized water     

The top layer of asphalt shingles is porous, which means that it absorbs dirt and other particles easily. 

If the surface is not regularly washed off, it becomes saturated with debris, preventing heat from through the shingles. This causes the shingles to wear down faster and also shortens their lifespan.

To wash your roof, simply attach a pressure washer to the garden hose and spray the entire surface of your roof with cold water. 

This process can be done as often as needed for homes in areas with heavy debris build-up or high dirt accumulation.    

• Equip your home with proper ventilation 

Equip your home with proper ventilation and insulation if it doesn’t already have it installed. The asphalt composition of most shingles is sensitive to temperature changes. 

If you live in an area where temperature fluctuations are frequent, make sure that there are no cracks in the structure leading into the attic since this will cause substandard ventilation inside your roof’s interior, which can lead to heat damage. 

When ventilating your roof, make sure not to cover the vents with insulation, as this will keep the interior from properly breathing and cause your roof to overheat.

• Clean up leaves and other debris on a regular basis      

In addition to causing damage by weighing down your shingles, decaying vegetation can also harbor insects and fungus, which eat away at the asphalt in between shingles. 

Water caught underneath rotting plants can even seep into cracks in your home’s foundation and lead to serious problems such as mold and mildew growth, and wood rot. 

• Inspect for damaged or missing shingles regularly 

If you find any broken or missing shingles, immediately replace them before they damage the roof’s surface underneath. 

5. Keep your gutters clean and clear of debris.     Debris build-up in your gutters can lead to drainage problems which cause water stains on the exterior of your home or seep into cracks in the foundation. It can also damage flashing that is installed around vents, chimneys, and skylights by causing leaks. 

• Have a professional check for moisture damage periodically

If you live anywhere with high humidity levels, it’s advisable to have someone inspect the interior of your roof for signs of moisture damage at least once per year (twice if you live somewhere like Florida). 

Although preventing moisture build-up is impossible, sometimes roofing companies offer special deals on repairs of slight leaks before they turn into major problems.

• Research your roofing company’s history and accreditations      

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and see if you feel comfortable with their services before hiring them for any work. If a contractor has all the appropriate licensing and insurance, it will make things much easier if anything were to go wrong with your roof during the repairs or cleaning process.

 

Factors that Shorten Roof Lifespan

When trying to maintain the condition of your roof as best as possible, it helps to know that some industry-wide factors contribute to a shortened lifespan, such as: 

1) Ultraviolet rays from sunlight cause shingle oxidation (they crack and weaken over time).   

 2) Extreme weather conditions like extreme heat or cold can cause the asphalt in your shingles to break down faster.     

3) High winds (which can deposit roof debris into gutters, lift shingles off the surface of your home, and blow away granules).           

4) Visible signs of aging like cracking or warping.            

5) Overexposure to chemicals like fertilizers, de-icing salt, and certain cleaning solutions.       

6) Poor installation during a new build. This causes an uneven weight distribution on the roof, which causes damage over time as it is exposed to elements.

7) Improper maintenance through neglect over time.       

8 ) Installation of metal flashing improperly around vents, chimneys, and skylights.

Some Bonus Tips

1) Make sure you hire a professional roofer if you plan on doing any repairs yourself.

2) Always use a ladder when climbing on the roof to avoid accidents.

3) Clean up any debris or leaves that have accumulated on the roof over time, as they can cause leaks and other problems in the long run.

4) If you live in a cold climate, make sure to check your roof for snow accumulation regularly during winter, as this can also cause leaks and other problems in the long run.

To Sum it Up, 

A roof is a major part of a home that needs to be maintained on a continuous basis. Issues with your roof can lead to serious problems with your foundation and interior walls. 

Therefore, it’s important to keep regular tabs on its condition so as to minimize problems before they even begin. When cleaning or maintaining your roof, make sure to always wear the proper safety equipment to prevent injuries. 

Also, be sure that you only hire an established and trusted roofing company for any work on your home’s exterior.

Have any questions regarding the topic “11 Tips to Maintain and Maximize your Roof life” feel free to comment below.

Also read: Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Gutters