Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof will last around 20-25 years, more or less depending on damage and wear and tear. Other roofing materials can last longer, but they are more expensive to install.
The amount and quality of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or lengthen the time between new roof replacements. If you are good about caring for your roof, you might end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, just so long as you give it the care it needs.
Installing a new roof is expensive no matter the type of roof you have. You’re much better off in the long run doing routine maintenance and minor repairs as they arise to help extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just can’t stand the idea of climbing a ladder – you can always find a licensed, certified roofer in Somerville to help you with all of your maintenance and repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent roof damage before it happens is the cheapest route to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are a couple of preventative care projects for your roof:
Cut limbs hanging over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break limbs and even knock over trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches right onto your roof if they’re not pruned. Falling limbs destroy all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers installed over your gutters to reduce clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning that you have to do and help prevent rain flowing into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning company in Somerville.
Have regular inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after only a few years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of aging such as rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a roofing pro can let you know if there’s an issue that has to be taken care of.
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 applying these products on your home, where they will run off and be in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation systems are in excellent condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation problem. Limited ventilation can cause trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors throughout your house. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will ruin wood and other home materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
From time to time, you’ll want to do some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done often enough, you’ll help prevent leaks and increase the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made from.
Do these things at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof removes debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will freshen up the appearance of your home. Somerville Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Somerville as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your gutters often, especially if it’s raining, to observe if there are any clogs that have to be removed. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it means that your roof is shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots will attach to shingles and other materials and damage them if it isn’t gotten rid of fast enough. Many homeowners choose to have a professional service do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but so long as you tend to them quickly, no major problems should occur. If you are a capable handyman, you may feel confident doing minor repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Somerville are able to tackle 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 removed from the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain. These asphalt chunks help to protect your 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. Occasionally, the part of your roof that rests between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will need to be replaced. The fascia can sometimes leak, letting mold and mildew into your home, let alone pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in the gaps on the roof where it is hard to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks on a roof, and it is easily damaged. If more extensive work is needed, replacing the flashing is 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 around 20 and 30 years, you will likely only have to install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move often, you might end up installing a lot of roofs in your lifetime.
When purchasing a new house, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can include the price of a new roof – if necessary – in the closing costs or request that the home seller have the roof replaced prior to the sale. When trying to sell a house, give Somerville Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Somerville to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.