Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof will last around 20-25 years, depending on storm damage and natural wear and tear. Other roofing materials last longer, but are also more expensive to install.
The extent and quality of care you give your roof can reduce or increase the time between roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you could end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, just as long as you give it the attention it requires.
Roof replacement is very expensive regardless of the type of roof. You’re much better off doing maintenance and minor repairs as needed to extend the lifetime of your home’s roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing abilities – or just can’t stand the idea of climbing a tall ladder – you can always call a licensed, certified roofer in Aurora to help you with all your maintenance and roof repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing things to prevent most roof damage before it occurs is the cheapest route to increase the lifetime of your home’s roof. Here are some preventative care recommendations for your home’s roof:
Cut limbs hanging over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break limbs and even push over trees. Decaying, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches right onto your roof if they are not regularly pruned. Falling limbs ruin all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed over your gutters to prevent clogging. They can reduce the amount of gutter cleaning that you have to do and 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 Aurora.
Schedule 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 roofing pro can let you know if there’s a problem that should be resolved.
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 lifetime. There are regular and plant-based products so you can feel safe about applying these products on your home, where they will inevitably run off and possibly come in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation system are in prime condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation can cause trapped moisture. This can quickly cause mold and mildew growth, as well as odors inside of your home. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will ruin wood and other materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
From time to time, you’ll have to do some general maintenance on your home’s roof. If this is done often enough, you’ll prevent leaks and increase the lifetime of your roof, regardless of the type.
Do these chores at least once every 12 months to prevent damages and keep your home’s roof looking nice:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof removes debris, mold and dirt. This will reduce the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your home’s roof, and it will instantly freshen up the appearance of your home. Aurora Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Aurora 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 any clogs that have to be removed. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it means that your roof is shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots attach to roof shingles and other materials and ruin them if it isn’t eliminated quickly. Typically homeowners opt to have a professional do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but as long as you tend to them quickly, no serious issues should result. If you are a capable handyman, you may feel confident doing minor roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers in Aurora are trained 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 removed from the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain. These asphalt pieces help protect your home’s roof. If they start coming off, the roof will begin to 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 part of your home’s 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 leak, letting mold and mildew into your home, let alone pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in gaps on the roof where it is hard to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks, and it is very easily damaged. If more extensive work is required, replacing the flashing is also a simple project 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 lifetime of a roof being around 20 and 30 years, you will probably only have to replace it one or two times. Of course, if you move frequently, you could end up replacing quite a few roofs during your lifetime.
When purchasing a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can include the price of a new roof – if necessary – in the closing costs or request that the seller have the roof replaced prior to the sale. When selling a home, give Aurora Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Aurora to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.