How to Maximize the Lifespan of Your Roof
From fixing damaged shingles to installing gutters, there are many things you can do to maximize the lifespan of your home’s roof. Regular roof maintenance is key in extending the life of your roof so it lasts as long as it should. The last thing you want is to face premature replacement or invasive, costly repairs when you can prevent all that with some TLC throughout the seasons.
Here are some tips on how to protect your investment and ensure a long-lasting roof.
1. Clean Debris, Mildew, and Algae
You may not think too much about the state of your roof until a problem arises. But like your other exteriors, your roof could use a good cleaning every once in a while. When you clean the leaves, acorns, and sticks off your roof, you will keep algae and mildew from thriving. Hire your roofer to do this, or put safety first with a stable ladder and the buddy system if you do it on your own.
Attach an enzyme cleaner to your garden hose and spray it onto the roof. Let it sit for a day or so, then rinse it off. While you’re at it, scoop debris out of your gutters.
2. Fix Missing or Damaged Shingles
Damaged or missing shingles can introduce leaks to the decking or interior of your attic, which can lead to mold and mildew issues. On top of that, moisture can compromise the structural integrity of your roof.
3. Install Gutters
If your house doesn’t have gutters, consider installing them. They are important because they help divert water off your roof in a streamlined way, sending it through the downspouts and well away from your foundation. Clean them out twice a year in spring and fall, and make sure the downspouts are properly positioned, especially after winter.
4. Prevent Ice Dams
Ice dams form on the eaves of your roof and in your gutters, blocking water flow and damaging your roof. Ice dams prevent melting snow further up the roof from getting into your gutters and being diverted away. The water, instead, will back up, and leak into your home. Make sure you have enough ventilation in your attic, as a too-warm attic contributes to the presence of ice dams in winter.
5. Trim Overhanging Trees
If you have any trees overhanging your home, now’s the time to trim back those branches before they fall on your roof and puncture it. Keeping branches trimmed back also prevents critters such as rodents and squirrels from getting a free ride onto your roof and into the attic.
6. Add Sealants and Coatings
To further extend the life of your roof, apply a protective coating or sealant after roof installation. Your trusted roofing professional can re-apply these coatings as needed, usually every few years.
7. Check Structural Supports
The structural elements underneath your roof help it to maintain shape and alleviate strain over time. Be sure to inspect these supports once a year for:
- Pests and Decay: Using a screwdriver, poke into the wood. If you see crumbling, spongy, tunneled timber, it will have to be replaced.
- Cracks and Splits: Critical framing ties could be failing if you see separating rafter tips.
- Water Damage: Sagging ceilings or discolored, softened wood are all signs of serious moisture issues.
8. Address Dry Rot Quickly
Wood decay fungus can severely compromise roof systems. What may seem like a small spot early on will quickly expand, destroying large sections if neglected. Dry rot essentially eats damp wood cells, leaving it soft and crumbly. To add insult to injury, wind and rain will hasten the erosion of your compromised roof structures.
To catch dry rot early, look out for:
- Curling, missing, or cracking shingles
- Interior leaks
- Sections with crumbling consistency
- Mushroom-like fungal outgrowths
Get rid of these areas by cutting away the spongy rotting wood until you hit a solid structure. You can prevent recurrence by improving airflow and adding protective coatings. In the case of significant widespread decay, you may need a total roof replacement.
9. Regularly Inspect Your Roof
It can be dangerous for you to do this on your own, as you risk falling from the ladder and the roof itself. Get a professional roof inspection to ensure your roof’s health and get suggestions on what can be done to extend its life.
Book Your FREE Roof Consultation Today!
Regular maintenance is the key to a long roof lifespan. To book your free inspection for roof maintenance or repair, call NVB Contracting for service throughout Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland.