How to Maintain a Roof for Longevity and Energy Efficiency

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Roofs should be inspected properly every once in a while. 
• If the tree branches are hanging over the roof, get them cut.
• Proper ventilation and attic insulation help with energy saving.
• Take professional assistance if there are any complex damages.
• Small problems shouldn’t be ignored, as they can result in costly repairs later. 

“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining”.

—John F. Kennedy (35th U.S. President)

Roofs are considered a vital part of our homes. They work as our guardian angels, who protect us from any natural disaster like heat, harsh winds, etc. While they take good care of themselves, are we doing the same? 

I don’t think so, we often don’t pay enough attention to it, and over time, it sustains great damage. So, is there anything that can be done? Are there any methods that we can follow to increase its lifespan?

Well, there are several ways to do so, and in this article, I’ll be mentioning how to maintain a roof for longevity and energy efficiency. Let’s get started. 

Inspect Your Roof Regularly

I’m quite sure that you must check your car every once in a while to see if it needs any repairs or servicing. Just like any vehicle, roofs also require timely inspection. The major reason for this is to see if there are any damages that need to be resolved. 

You should look for missing shingles, leaks, cracks, or signs of water damage. While they might not look concerning over time, they can become a major issue, which can result in costly repairs or, even worse, the roof can fall off. 

Why take the chance? It needs your immediate attention before anything happens that can result in any physical injury or empty your pockets. 

Keep Your Gutters Clean

Clogged gutters also pose a great risk to the roof. If water isn’t able to flow out properly, it will back up under the roof, which can make it rot or create leakage. This can easily be prevented if individuals clean their gutters at least twice or thrice a year. 

Right after autumn ends, it’s important to go and check if it has been blocked because of the leaves. If yes, bring out your tools and get to work. This can be done by anyone, as it’s not a complex task. 

It can be turned into a fun activity as well that you can do with your kids, but make sure that they are not on the roof, or they can fall. Instead, they can assist you from the ground by gathering the waste and throwing it away. 

Trim Nearby Trees

Branches of trees can grow and scrape the roof. It doesn’t happen overnight, usually, they keep on growing and eventually pierce through the roof. If the tree is long enough and its branches are hanging over the roof, if the is a rainstorm, it can drop and cause great damage. 

Not only that, but branches can also gather at one spot, and they can trap moisture. Molds will be created at those spots. That’s why it’s important to trim down branches if they are anywhere near or at the top of the roof. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so don’t ignore it. 

DID YOU KNOW?The oldest brick is estimated to be 42,000 years old and was made up of woolly mammoth in Siberia!

Use Professional Roof Cleaning

While many might think moss, algae, and dirt are nothing to worry about, in reality, they are quite harmful. Not to mention, they look bad, but the moisture trapped can make the shingles rot, and that’s not good at all.

So, what can be done? In such scenarios, you should hire professional roof cleaning services. They are a team of professionals who have all the necessary tools and can do things safely. It is quite affordable, and the final results are worth it.

Check for Proper Ventilation

It might come as a surprise, but ventilation plays an important role in protecting your roof and maintaining longevity. During summer, good airflow doesn’t let heat stay under the roof, and during winter, moisture doesn’t build up. 

The roof remains in good shape, and the home becomes energy efficient. But the vents also need inspection sometimes to see if they are working properly, or they need to be cleaned. Below you can see the key benefits of good airflow in the house. 

Insulate Your Attic

When good ventilation is paired with robust attic insulation, heat wouldn’t go outside during winters and wouldn’t enter the home during summers. Its benefit? Energy bills would be lowered and damages that are usually caused by changes in change of temperature won’t happen. 

The thickness of the attic insulation needs to be checked, this is to ensure the floor joists aren’t visible. In case they are, there is more room for insulation, and you should get it done. 

Fix Small Problems Quickly

As mentioned earlier, no matter how small or big the issue is, it needs to be fixed as soon as it is spotted. Whether it’s a missing shingle, leakage anything else, it needs to be resolved quickly. 

Avoiding these things is never a good idea, and later it is going to turn into something drastic that can weaken the overall structure of the house. 

Schedule a Roof Inspection

While I do understand you are fully capable of doing the roof inspection by yourself at least once a year, it should be done by a professional. Schedule it according to yourself, they can come and take a look. These individuals don’t let anything slip away, even mold and mildew or worn flashing can’t be hidden from them. 

They do their job very seriously since they are always concerned about the safety of their clients. 

Protect Your Roof and Save Energy

It’s important to take care of your roof and save energy. It’s not that hard; all it requires is attention. As soon as anything is spotted, get it fixed or seek help from those who have expertise in this field. 

This keeps you and your pocket safe. Longevity of the roof is maintained, and years would pass, and the roof will remain strong. Just put a little effort. Do the inspection yourself, it will only take 10–15 minutes, so what are you waiting for? Take your ladder and get on the roof.