It goes without saying that the roof is a vital part of any home. Without it, your home is completely exposed to the elements, which isn’t good for anyone. Additionally, roof replacements are both expensive and take a while. As such, taking care of your roof should always be a priority as a homeowner. Thankfully, if you’re diligent and careful, you can make your roof last for quite a while before needing a replacement. Most of these things are something you should be doing anyway as part of typical maintenance. So, how exactly can you make your roof last as long as possible? We’ll be going over that with you today through this guide on how to extend the life of your roof, and we hope you find the guide informative.
Take the time to clean your gutters regularly
Starting off the guide on how to extend the life of your roof: clean your gutters regularly. The gutters protect your home and roof from water damage when it rains. The gutters safely lead the water away from your home and ensure no damage from the water comes to your home. However, gutters must be cleaned as debris tends to clog them up. A clogged gutter will back up, and the water will seep through your home, causing structural damage to the roof and the home overall. As such, you should take the time to clean your gutters every month or so to prevent damage. Rain is one of the most common things to ruin your roof; you should take this advice very seriously. Remember, the best way to deal with water damage is to prevent it, and properly maintaining your gutters is a good idea.
Replace individual shingles as soon as you notice them
If you live in an area that experiences heavy winds or powerful storms, it’s not uncommon for your roof to miss some shingles. Even if you live in a calm area, missing shingles will become common as your roof ages. Replacing these shingles is incredibly important as they expose your roof to further damage. Every missing shingle is an opening where rain or snow can get in and cause structural damage. If ignored, this can lead to severe damage and even cause your roof to collapse entirely. So, keep an eye on your roof for missing shingles and replace them as quickly as possible. And if you plan on selling your home, replacing your roof is one of the improvements that can add value. Especially if your roof is old; replacing it will be a big bonus to the overall value of your home.
Trim nearby trees
Another simple way to extend the life of your roof is to trim any nearby trees. Trees are an excellent tool for curb appeal and garden aesthetics, but they can be dangerous to your roof if they’re not properly maintained. During storms, broken branches can become projectiles and damage your roof. Or, if the branches reach your home, leaves and other debris can get stuck in your gutters. Also, small animals like squirrels can use these branches to get into your home. So, with all this in mind, ensure the branches are at least 6 feet away from your roof. And just as a general rule of thumb, make sure you know how to spot a roof leak. Again, prevention is the best way to deal with water damage, so spotting these issues before they become much more serious problems is incredibly important in the long run.
Get the roof inspected on a regular basis
It’s vital to have professionals check your roof as well. After all, unless you have experience in the area, spotting potential problems with your roof can be difficult. So, getting your roof inspected by a professional annually is a great idea. They will be able to spot any problems and recommend ways to deal with them to you. And remember, even the tiniest thing can lead to a serious problem if left alone for long enough. So, even if it’s a tiny issue that doesn’t seem too important at first, fix it as soon as possible. And if your roof needs serious repairs, experts from centennialmoving.ca note that you should consider storing your belongings ahead of time. After all, you’ll need somewhere to put the belongings you were keeping in your attic while the repairs are ongoing.
Clean your roof
Over time, your roof will get covered in moss and algae. This is just an unfortunate fact, as the roof is a perfect breeding ground for them. If ignored, this moss and algae will weaken your roof, making it susceptible to further damage. As such, if you want your roof to last as long as possible, you’ll need to clean it regularly. That said, you should avoid pressure washing your roof when cleaning it. The pressure of the process is strong enough to knock shingles loose, which makes it actually harmful to the roof. As such, simply scrubbing your roof is the way to go. If you’re unsure how to go about it or worried about the risks of DIY roof repairs, you can always hire professionals. Relying on professionals to make sure your roof is in proper shape is the best course of action.
How to extend the life of your roof – wrap up
The roof is vital to any home; every homeowner should take roof maintenance seriously. After all, roof replacements are lengthy and expensive, so ensuring the roof lasts as long as possible is incredibly important. Thankfully, most of the things you can do to make your roof last should be part of the regular maintenance process anyway, which makes things significantly more straightforward in the long run. We hope this guide on how to extend the life of your roof was helpful, and we wish you a great rest of your day.
