KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Roof Maintenance: Need for roof maintenance, and simple maintenance tips for a longer life of the roof.
- Roof Ventilation: Keys to having a low-maintenance attic, irrespective of the season.
- Roof Replacement: Factors that help you identify when to replace your roof.
- Cleaning: Best practices to clean your roof in an efficient way.
It is true that “ Roof is not just a shelter, it’s peace of mind “. Its maintenance is essential, and it’s not just about avoiding problems; it is about adding value to your home and saving your money in the long run!
Ask yourself once – Is your roof at its full potential? As the roof over your head provides the required safety against harsh weather conditions, so proper care and attention are required for its extended lifespan.
Whether your roof is brand new or years old, here is what you should do to keep your roof in the best possible shape for the longest possible time. Read more to know about the basic tips that can significantly increase the lifespan of your roof.
Need for Roof Maintenance
You may think there is no need to put effort and money into maintaining the roof, but the fact is that you have already invested money in your roof. So now it makes sense to invest in its long-term health.
- Roof Maintenance Prevents Future Problems: Even a minor issue, if not fixed on the roof, can turn into a major issue within a year or a few months. A leakage can also end up causing a loss of $500 or more.
- Roof Maintenance Increases the Life of Your Roof: The Maintenance increases the lifespan of the roof, which means longer protection of your roof and more return on the investment.
- Roof Maintenance Gives you Peace of Mind: This is one of the biggest benefits, as a properly installed roof and regular inspection of the roof ensure that your peace of mind lasts for decades.
Let’s discuss the ways to keep your roof in the best possible shape and condition for years –
Regular Inspections
Conducting regular roof inspections is one of the important ways to maintain your roof. Inspecting your roof twice a year, especially in the spring and fall, can potentially identify the issues related to the roof before they become a major problem. In addition, it’s advised to check your roof after severe weather conditions such as storms and heavy snowfall to find any potential damage.
Starting with the checking of missing or damaged shingles is the first step, as they can lead to leaks. Then look around chimneys for any sign of wear and gaps. Remember to check the underside of your roof for any signs of mould or moisture. Following these roof maintenance tips will help you keep your roof in good condition.
Be Mindful of Trees
Tress around your home gives shade and an aesthetic appeal to your house, but when its branches come above your roof, then this can cause a serious risk. Natural calamities such as storms can break its branches and cause severe damage to your roof. This is why trimming the tree’s branches is important for roof care.
Falling leaves on the roof may form a blockage and build up water. Scheduling annual trip maintenance, especially before stormy weather, is a good step to reduce the potential risks. To organize areas at risk from overhead vegetation, understanding the rooftop construction basics is important.
Consider Roof Ventilation
Ventilation should be prioritized for your attic. In summer, it prevents heat damage and mold growth while lowering your cooling costs. In winters, it combats ice dam formation.
If your attic gets extremely hot in the summer, then consider the installation of ridge and soffit vents for balanced airflow and a natural ventilation system. Ridge and soffit vents are different forms of attic ventilation only. Irrespective of the season, a good ventilation system can help to have a low-maintenance attic.
Fun Fact
Roofs Need to Breathe : Just like human beings, roofs also need proper ventilation and adequate airflow to stay healthy.
Cleaning Your Roof
It is essential to keep your roof clean for its long life. Here, cleaning does not only mean to clean dirt, leaves, and twigs over time; preventing mold and algae growth is also considered. As their growth can effectively weaken your roofing material, it may result in premature aging of the roof and basic structural issues.
Improving roof ventilation, trimming overgrown branches, and scheduling cleaning of the roof are important steps to prevent algae and mould growth. For safety reasons, it’s best to hire a professional for a clean roof, especially if your roof is steep or not easy to access.
Maintain Gutters and Downspouts
Maintaining gutters and downspouts is often overlooked, and is an essential step. A blocked or damaged gutter system can cause water to pool on the roof, which can result in mould growth and structural damage to the roof over time. Clogged gutters may also result in the reversal of water, and can also cause damage to the roof and walls.
Ensure that water flows freely from the gutters and downspouts. Ideally, Gutters and downspouts should be inspected twice a year, and just after severe weather or storms.
Seek Professional Help
Taking help from a professional plays an important role in proper roof maintenance. Roofing professionals have the right tools and expertise for these tasks that help them in providing necessary repairs and extending the lifespan of your roof.
They can save you from this hassle of taking these precautions on your own and can significantly increase the roof’s lifespan, improving its continuous protection for many upcoming years. Seeking professional help is best when overall roof health and longevity are needed. Professional roof contractors, such as North End Contracting, can also guide you about the best material for the long life of your roof.
Plan for Replacement
The life span of an average roof is 25 to 50 years, depending more on the type of material used in the roof. Asphalt shingles may need to be replaced after 15 years, but slate tiles can easily last over 50 years.
Changing the roof depends on the condition of the roof, but it depends more on the owner’s budget. Many homeowners love to renovate their home and roof in a few years only, while others try to continue it till it lasts. So it depends more on the budget and the will of the owner.
Although it is advised to have a long-lasting roof with the best materials available. Roof professionals have a deep knowledge of these things; this is why it is advised to connect with them.
Don’t Wait to Make Repairs
The moment you notice any roof damage, try to address it as soon as possible. Even a minor problem like a breakage in the pipe can turn into a major problem like leakage and structural damage over time. The repair cost will directly depend on the issue and on how soon you react to it.
Missing, curled, or damaged shingles should be addressed first, as shingles are the first to deal with storms and rain. Do not hesitate to connect with a professional in case of any issue that you can’t address.
What is roof maintenance?
Roof maintenance is the regular checking of the condition of the roof to increase its lifespan for many years.
What is the need for roof maintenance?
As we have already invested a lot of money in the roof, a longer lifespan of the roof and to get he best return on the money, roof maintenance is very important.
Why is it advised to take help from the professionals?
As professionals have the right tools and expertise in this work, they can perform this task effectively and efficiently.
Is it necessary to replace the roof in case of any issues?
No, it is not advised to replace the roof in a few years, as they are very costly and are made to last decades. They can be easily fixed, and following the above-mentioned simple maintenance tips will probably increase the lifespan of your roofs to decades.
