Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The typical shingle roof will last 20-25 years, depending on storm damage and natural wear and tear. Other types of roofing materials can last longer, but are more expensive to install.
The extent and quality of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or extend the time between 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, so long as you give it the care it requires.
Installing a new roof is expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re better off in the long run doing maintenance and minor repairs as needed to lengthen the lifetime of your roof.
If you are not confident in your roofing abilities – or just can’t stand the thought of climbing a tall ladder – you can hire a licensed, certified roofer in Largo to help you with all of your maintenance and repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing projects to prevent roof damage before it happens is the most affordable way to extend the lifetime of your roof. Here are a few preventative care tips for your roof:
Cut tree limbs hanging over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break tree limbs and even knock over trees. Decaying, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they are not regularly 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 that can be installed on top of your gutters to reduce clogging. They can reduce the amount of gutter cleaning you need to do and prevent overflow into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards yourself or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning company in Largo.
Have regular inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after a couple of years, and metal roofs will be dented or start to show signs of age like rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a pro can let you know if there’s an issue that should be taken care of.
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 coatings on your home, where they will run off and possibly come in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation systems are in excellent condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation issue. Limited ventilation can lead to trapped moisture. This can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as odors in your house. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will wreak havoc on wood and other materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Every once in a while, you’ll have to complete some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done in a timely manner, you’ll prevent leaks and extend the lifetime of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made of.
Do these chores at least once every 12 months 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 and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will freshen up the appearance of your home. Largo Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Largo as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your gutters regularly, especially if it’s raining, to observe if there are any clogs that should be cleared. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it means that your roof is too shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots attach to shingles and other types of materials and damage them if it isn’t removed fast enough. Many homeowners opt to have a professional service do this so no 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 may feel confident doing minor repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers in Largo are trained to tackle 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 heavy rain. These asphalt chunks help protect your roof. If they start coming off, the roof will start to look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a small section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is 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 have to be replaced. The fascia can leak, letting mold and mildew into your home, plus pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in 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 a simple project for professionals 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 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 buying a new house, 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 have the roof replaced prior to the sale. When selling a house, give Largo Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Largo to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.