Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof lasts 20 years, more or less depending on storm damage and natural wear and tear. Other roofing materials last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The extent and level of care you give your roof can shorten or lengthen the time between new roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you might end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, so long as you give it the attention it requires.
Installing a new roof is very expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re much better off 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 can’t stand the thought of climbing a ladder – you can always call a licensed, certified roofer in Carlsbad to help you with all your maintenance and repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent roof damage before it happens is by far the cheapest way to extend the lifetime of your roof. Here are a few preventative care measures for your roof:
Cut branches hanging over your roof. Gusting winds and rain can break branches and even push over trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they are not routinely pruned. Falling limbs ruin all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and metal roofs.
Install rain gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed over your rain gutters to prevent clogging. They can reduce the amount of gutter cleaning that you have to do and prevent rain flowing into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards yourself or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning company in Carlsbad.
Schedule regular inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after only a couple of years, and metal roofs will be dented or start to show signs of age like rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a pro can let you know if there’s an issue that should be resolved.
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 lifetime. There are regular and plant-based products so you can feel safe about spraying these products on your home, where they will run off and possibly come in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in excellent condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation can lead to trapped moisture. This can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors in your house. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will ruin wood and other home materials, weakening your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
From time to time, you’ll need to complete some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done regularly, you’ll prevent leaks and extend the lifetime of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made from.
Do these projects at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your roof looking nice:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof removes debris, mold and dirt. This will reduce the risk of pests building nests on your roof, and it will instantly renew the appearance of your home. Carlsbad Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Carlsbad as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your rain gutters regularly, especially while it’s raining, to observe if there are clogs that should be cleared. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it probably means that your roof is too shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots attach to shingles and other materials and ruin them if it isn’t gotten rid of fast enough. Most homeowners prefer to have a professional 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 right away, no major problems should result. If you are a handyman, you might feel confident enough doing small repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers in Carlsbad are able 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 storms. These asphalt chunks help to protect your roof. If they start to come off, the roof will look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a 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 need to be replaced. The fascia can 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 hard to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks, and it is very easily damaged. If more complicated work is necessary, replacing the flashing is also an easy task for roofers and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is one of the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifetime of a roof being around 20 and 30 years, you will likely only have to replace it once or twice. Of course, if you move often, you might end up installing quite a few roofs during your lifetime.
When buying a new house, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can also include the price of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or request that the home seller has the roof replaced prior to the sale. When trying to sell a house, give Carlsbad Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Carlsbad to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.