Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof lasts around 20-25 years, more or less depending on damage and usual wear and tear. Other roofing materials will last longer, but are more expensive to install.
The extent and quality of care you give your roof along the way can reduce or increase the time between new roof replacements. If you play your cards right, you could end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, so long as you give it the attention it requires.
Installing a new roof is very expensive no matter the type of roof you have. You’re a lot better off doing maintenance and small repairs as needed to lengthen the lifetime of your roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing abilities – or just don’t like the thought of climbing up a ladder – you can always hire a licensed, certified roofer in Alexandria to give you a hand with all your maintenance and repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent roof damage before it occurs is the most affordable way to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are some preventative care recommendations for your roof:
Cut branches that hang over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break branches and even push over whole trees. Rotting, dying trees will also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they are not pruned. Falling limbs damage all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install rain gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed over your rain gutters to prevent clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning you have to do and prevent rain flowing into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning company in Alexandria.
Schedule routine inspections. Shingles start to lose asphalt granules after only a couple of years, and metal roofs will be dented or start to show signs of aging such as rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a pro will let you know if there’s an issue that needs to 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 lifespan. There are regular and plant-based options so you can feel safe about putting these coatings on your home, where they will run off and come in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation system are in excellent condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Lack of ventilation will lead to trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors in your home. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will wreak havoc on wood and other home 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 increase the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made from.
Do these chores at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your roof looking nice:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof will remove debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will renew the curb appeal. AllClean Alexandria Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Alexandria as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Check your rain gutters often, especially while it’s raining, to see if there are any clogs that should be cleared. Most gutter experts recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it likely means that your roof is shaded and stays very moist. Moss’s roots attach to shingles and other materials and ruin them if it isn’t gotten rid of fast enough. Most homeowners decide to have a professional service do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but so long as you take care of them quickly, no serious problems should result. If you are a handyman, you may feel confident doing small repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers in Alexandria are certified 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 removed from the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain. These asphalt chunks help protect your roof. If they start to come off, the roof will begin to look worn, but, more importantly, it won’t protect what’s underneath. Only a small section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is only 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 sometimes leak, allowing mold and mildew into your home, let alone 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, and it is very easily damaged. If more complicated work is required, replacing the flashing is a simple project for roofers and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is one of the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifespan of a roof being between 20 and 30 years, you will likely only have to replace it once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you could end up buying a lot of roofs during your lifetime.
When buying a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your money. You can also include the cost of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or request that the home seller has the roof replaced before the sale. When selling a home, give AllClean Alexandria Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Alexandria to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.