Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof will last around 20-25 years, more or less depending on storm damage and wear and tear. Other roofing materials will last longer, but are also more expensive to install.
The extent and level of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or lengthen the time between new roof replacements. If you are good about maintaining your roof, you could end up only having to replace your roof on your home once in your lifetime, just so long as you give it the care it needs.
Roof replacement is expensive regardless of the type of roof. You’re a lot better off in the long run doing maintenance and small repairs as they arise in order to extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just hate the idea of climbing up a tall ladder – you can always find a licensed, certified roofer in Smithtown to give you a hand with all of your maintenance and repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent roof damage before it happens is the most affordable way to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are a few preventative care tips for your roof:
Cut branches that hang over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break branches and even push over trees. Decaying, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they are not routinely pruned. Falling limbs destroy 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 reduce the amount of gutter cleaning that you have to do and prevent rain flowing into your yard. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning service in Smithtown.
Have regular inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after only a few years, and metal roofs can get dented or start to show signs of age such as rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a company can let you know if there’s an issue that has to be repaired.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish 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 products so you can feel safe about putting these coatings on your home, where they will inevitably run off and possibly be in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in prime condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation problem. Limited ventilation can lead to trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as odors throughout your home. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will ruin wood and other home materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Every once in a while, you’ll want to complete some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done regularly, you’ll prevent leaks and increase the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made of.
Do these projects at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof will remove debris, mold and dirt. This will reduce the risk of pests building nests on your roof, and it will instantly renew the curb appeal. Smithtown Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Smithtown as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your rain gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to observe if there are clogs that should be cleared. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it probably means that your roof is too shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots will attach to shingles and other materials and ruin them if it isn’t gotten rid of fast enough. Many homeowners opt to have a professional service do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages will happen, but so long as you tend to them quickly, no serious problems should result. If you are a handyman, you may feel confident enough doing small repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers in Smithtown are certified to complete these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in optimal condition.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt pieces attached to them. The texture can be knocked off the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain. These asphalt pieces help protect your roof. If they start to come 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. Sometimes, the section of your roof that rests between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will also have to be replaced. The fascia can sometimes leak, letting mold and mildew into your home, plus pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in the gaps on the roof where it is impossible to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks, and it is easily damaged. If more complicated work is required, replacing the flashing is also an easy task for professionals and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is one of the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifespan of a roof being around 20 and 30 years, you will probably only have to install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you could end up buying quite a few roofs in your lifetime.
When buying a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can also include the cost of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or ask that the home seller has the roof replaced prior to the sale. When selling a home, give Smithtown Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Smithtown to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.