Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof lasts 20 years, depending on storm damage and usual wear and tear. Other roofing materials last longer, but are more expensive to install.
The extent and level of care you give your roof can reduce or lengthen the time between roof replacements. If you are lucky, you could end up only having to replace your roof once in your lifetime, just as long as you give it the maintenance it requires.
Roof replacement is very expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re much better off in the long run doing maintenance and minor repairs as needed to 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 tall ladder – you can find a licensed, certified roofer in Whittier to give you a hand with all your maintenance and repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent roof damage before it happens is the most affordable route to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are some preventative care measures for your roof:
Cut limbs hanging over your roof. High winds and rain storms can break limbs and even knock over whole trees. Decaying, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they’re not regularly 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 installed over your rain gutters to reduce clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning that you need to do and prevent overflow into your yard. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning company in Whittier.
Schedule routine inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after a couple of years, and metal roofs will be dented or start to show signs of age like rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a pro can let you know if there’s a problem that has to be resolved.
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 coatings on your home, where they will run off and be in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation system are in prime condition. Too much or not enough 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 ruin wood and other materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Here and there, you’ll need to complete some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done in a timely manner, you’ll prevent leaks and increase the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these projects at least once every 12 months to prevent damages and keep your roof looking nice:
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 instantly freshen up the appearance of your home. Whittier Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Whittier as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out rain gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your rain gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to see if there are any clogs that should be removed. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it probably means that your roof is shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots attach to shingles and other materials and damage them if it isn’t eliminated quickly. Most homeowners opt to have a professional do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but as long as you tend to them quickly, no serious issues should occur. If you are a handyman, you might feel confident doing minor repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Whittier are able to tackle these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in optimal condition.
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 roof. If they start coming off, the roof will look worn, but, more importantly, it won’t protect what’s underneath. Only a small section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is 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 leak, allowing mold and mildew into your home, plus 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, and it is very easily damaged. If more extensive work is necessary, replacing the flashing is an easy project for professionals 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 between 20 and 30 years, you will probably only need to replace it once or twice. Of course, if you move several times, you could end up replacing a lot of roofs during your lifetime.
When purchasing a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can include the price of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or ask that the seller have the roof replaced prior to the sale. When selling a home, give Whittier Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Whittier to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.