Roofing Tips to Extend Your Roof’s Lifespan
Roofing Tips to Extend Your Roof’s Lifespan
A little bit of maintenance goes a long way when it comes to residential roofing. Use these residential roofing tips to take care of your roof and help protect your investment:
- Clean your gutters frequently
- Have regular roof inspections
- Prune overhanging tree branches
- Repair storm damage immediately
- Replace damaged or worn shingles right away
1. Clean Your Gutters Frequently
Your gutters can easily become clogged with leaves or debris. When this happens. water will sit on the top of your roof until it becomes too heavy to deal with and can lead to roof leakage.
Most experts recommend cleaning out your gutters at least twice a year.
2. Have Regular Roof Inspections
You can conduct a easy visual inspection of your roof, or even climb up there to get a better look. Of course, nothing beats a roof inspection from a professional roofing company, but this isn't always necessary.
3. Prune Overhanging Tree Branches
Overhanging tree branches can bang against your roof during high winds or storms, they can brush up against your roof repeatedly and eventually degrate their integrity. Sometimes, overhanging tree branches can create ideal conditions for algae or mold growth, which can lead to roof leaks.
Overhanging tree branches can also produce more debris and clog your gutters more quickly.
4. Repair Storm Damage Immediately
When left untreated, even minor damage can cause major problems. Even a tiny leak from a lifted, broken or missing shingle can allow water into the decking and cause water damage. If you suspect you may have storm damage, call a professional. Making small fixes now can save you thousands in the future.
5. Replace Damaged or Worn Shingles Right Away
Shingles are there to provide a later of protection to your roof. Always replace damaged or worn shingles.
Damaged shingles can be:
Cracked
Missing granules
Moss or mold
Curling up and edges
Dark streaks (can mean algae)
