5 Tips To Make A Roof Last Longer

No matter how good your roof is, it would help if you still invested in it. It protects you and gives additional security to your home. You need to know the best tips to make a roof last longer to maintain your house’s best value.

It doesn’t take too much to make little changes to make your roof in good condition. There will come a time that you’ll replace it, but in the meantime, why not take excellent care of it? You won’t regret it in the end. 

Here are five tips to extend the lifespan of your roof.

1. Clean Gutters Regularly

Commonly seen at the edge of the roof, gutters direct water to a particular spot where you want it to go. If you have one installed on your roof, you should clean them regularly.

Gutters can collect debris, dead leaves, or other solid objects that can disrupt the flow of water. Such obstructions can clog the drains and redirect the water to the interior of the house. Worse, it can get inside the foundations of the house and make it wear in a short time.

You can do three simple things to clean your gutter.

• Pick up leaves that got stuck on your gutter.
• Wash the gutter with any soap to clear off dust and dirt.
• Unclog downspouts by running water through it. If water does not flow freely, you can tap the sides of the downspouts to let obstructions fall. You can also use long and hard objects, such as a garden hose, to clear the downspout’s path. Otherwise, use a leaf blower.

2. Maintain Roof Shingles

Various places have various environmental conditions, but you should keep a schedule to maintain your roof shingles. Some may have trees around their houses, and some may have thick snow during winter. Nevertheless, keep your shingles free from anything that can accumulate there.

You can make your checklist to fit the environment you are in right now. There are three most common things that you should consider on your shingles.

• Nearby Trees. If there are trees around your house, you can trim the branches of the tree, so it doesn’t touch your roof, or ask the owner to do it. Rake the leaves off your roof to prevent moisture accumulation, which may result in moss. Moss can cause significant damage to your roof if left untouched for long.
• Snow After Winter. Ice dams can damage your roof severely, and you should prevent this from happening. As soon as possible, get the snow off your roof with any appropriate method, you know.
• Rust Staining. If you see any rust stains on your shingles, remove it as soon as possible to prevent more significant damages.

3. Check Roof Sealants

During harsh weather conditions, some parts of your roof may not hold together, and water can get in your house. Most roof installations include roof sealant to make the structure more durable.

Consider checking your roof sealants, if there are any, and replace sealants that are damaged or removed. Most roof types that badly need sealants are flat roofs.

4. Overall Inspection

Many people would say that prevention is better than cure, and that is true with your roof. It would help if you made it a habit to check your roof’s overall condition from time to time. It doesn’t have to be every day but at least more than once a week.

As someone living under the roof, you should be able to tell when repairs are needed already. A simple listen and look habit should do it.

5. Hire a Professional

Whether you’re inspecting your roof daily or not, it is always best to have a professional look at your roof. They know better about the interiors and exteriors of your roof. Especially everything that is applied to your roof.

Like how you would visit a doctor for a regular check-up, you should do as well to your roof. Consider having a professional inspection at least once a year for better results.

The Bottom Line

When you choose to do the repairs and regular inspections on your own, make sure never to ignore safety precautions. Otherwise, without hesitation, hire a professional roofer to ensure your roof is at its optimal condition.