Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof will last around 20-25 years, depending on damage and natural wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials can last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The extent and quality of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or increase the time between roof replacements. If you are good about caring for your roof, you might end up only having to replace your roof once in your lifetime, just as long as you give it the maintenance it needs.
Roof replacement is expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re better off in the long run doing routine maintenance and minor repairs as needed to help lengthen the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just don’t like the thought of climbing a ladder – you can find a licensed, certified roofer in New Braunfels to give you a hand with all of your maintenance and repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing projects to prevent most roof damage before it happens is by far the most affordable route to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are some preventative care tips for your roof:
Cut tree limbs hanging over your roof. Strong winds and rain can break tree limbs and even knock over whole trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their branches right onto your roof if they are not pruned. Falling limbs destroy all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers installed over your gutters to prevent clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning that you need to do and help prevent overflow into your yard. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning service in New Braunfels.
Have routine inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after a couple of years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of aging like rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a roofing pro can let you know if there’s a problem that has to be taken care of.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish the oils from shingles so they don’t dry out, helping your roof last 5 years or more beyond its expected lifespan. There are regular and plant-based products so you can feel safe about spraying these products on your home, where they will inevitably run off and possibly be in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation system are in excellent condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation can cause trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as odors inside of your house. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will wreak havoc on wood and other home materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
From time to time, you’ll want to do some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done often enough, you’ll help prevent leaks and increase the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made of.
Do these chores at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your roof looking nice:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof will remove debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will immediately renew the curb appeal. New Braunfels Pressure Wash Plus offers roof cleaning in New Braunfels as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out the gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to see if there are clogs that have to be cleared. Most pros 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 very moist. Moss’s roots can attach to shingles and other types of 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 as long as you tend to them right away, no major issues should result. If you are a capable handyman, you might feel confident doing minor repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in New Braunfels are certified 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 removed from the shingles by debris, hail or strong 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. 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, allowing mold and mildew into your home, and sometimes pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in gaps on the roof where it is difficult to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks, and it is easily damaged. If more extensive work is necessary, replacing the flashing is also an easy task 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 around 20 and 30 years, you will likely only need to install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move often, you might end up buying quite a few roofs in your lifetime.
When purchasing a new house, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can also include the cost of a new roof – if necessary – 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 New Braunfels Pressure Wash Plus a call for professional roof cleaning in New Braunfels to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.