Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The average shingle roof will last 20 years, more or less depending on storm damage and natural wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials can last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The amount and level of care you give your roof can reduce 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 on your home once in your lifetime, just so long as you give it the care it needs.
Roof replacement is expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re a lot better off doing maintenance and minor repairs as they arise in order to lengthen the lifetime of your roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing skills – or just hate the idea of climbing up a ladder – you can call a licensed, certified roofer in Folsom to help you with all of your maintenance and roof repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent most roof damage before it occurs is the cheapest route to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are some preventative care ideas for your roof:
Cut tree branches hanging over your roof. Strong winds and rain storms can break tree branches and even push over whole trees. Decaying, dying trees will also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they’re not regularly pruned. Falling limbs destroy all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed over your gutters to reduce clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning you have 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 service in Folsom.
Schedule 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 pro will let you know if there’s a problem that needs to be repaired.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings renew the oils from roof 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 products on your home, where they will run off and come in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in good condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation problem. Limited ventilation will cause trapped moisture. This can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as odors in your home. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will eat away at wood and other materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
From time to time, you’ll want 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 materials it’s made from.
Do these things at least once every 12 months to prevent damages and keep your roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof will remove debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests building nests on your roof, and it will instantly renew the appearance of your home. Folsom Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Folsom as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your gutters often, especially while it’s raining, to observe if there are clogs that have to be removed. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it means that your roof is too shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots attach to roof shingles and other types of materials and damage them if it isn’t removed fast enough. Many homeowners prefer 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 take care of them quickly, no serious issues should occur. If you are a handyman, you might feel confident doing minor roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers in Folsom are certified to complete 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 knocked off the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain storms. These asphalt pieces 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 sits 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 on a roof, and it is easily damaged. If more complicated work is necessary, replacing the flashing is also a simple task 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 probably only have to install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you might end up buying quite a few roofs during your lifetime.
When purchasing a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can include the cost of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or request that the seller has the roof replaced before the sale. When selling a home, give Folsom Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Folsom to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.