Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The standard shingle roof lasts 20 years, more or less depending on storm damage and wear and tear. Other roofing materials will last longer, but they are more expensive to install.
The extent and quality of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or lengthen the time between new roof replacements. If you are good about maintaining your roof, you might end up only having to replace your roof once in your lifetime, as long as you give it the attention it requires.
Installing a new roof is very expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re a lot better off in the long run doing routine maintenance and small repairs as they arise to extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing skills – or just hate the idea of climbing up a tall ladder – you can always call a licensed, certified roofer in Cedar Park to help you with all of your maintenance and roof repair needs.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent roof damage before it happens is by far the most affordable way to increase the lifetime of your roof. Here are a few preventative care recommendations for your roof:
Cut branches hanging over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break branches and even push over whole trees. Decaying, dying trees will also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they are not regularly pruned. Falling limbs ruin all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and metal roofs.
Install rain gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers installed on top of your rain gutters to reduce clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning you need to do and prevent overflow into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning company in Cedar Park.
Schedule routine inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after only a few years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of aging such as rust or tarnish. Having regular inspections done by a roofing company will let you know if there’s an issue that has to be resolved.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings renew the oils from roof shingles so they don’t dry out, helping your roof last 5 years or more beyond its expected lifespan. There are regular and plant-based products so you can feel safe about putting these products on your home, where they will run off and possibly be in contact with your children, pets and lawn.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation system are in good condition. Too much or not enough insulation can create a condensation issue. Limited ventilation will lead to trapped moisture. This can quickly result in mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors inside of your house. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will eat away at wood and other materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Here and there, you’ll want to do 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 every 12 months to prevent damages and keep your roof looking good:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof removes debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests building nests on your roof, and it will immediately renew the curb appeal. Cedar Park Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Cedar Park as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your rain gutters often, especially if it’s raining, to see if there are any clogs that have to be cleared. Most pros recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss starts growing, it likely means that your roof is too shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots can attach to roof shingles and other materials and ruin them if it isn’t removed quickly. Most homeowners decide to have a professional do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages will happen, but as long as you take care of them quickly, no serious problems should occur. If you are a handyman, you might feel confident doing small roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Cedar Park are trained to complete these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in optimal condition.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt bits attached to them. The texture can be knocked off the shingles by debris, hail or strong rain storms. These asphalt pieces help to protect your roof. If they start coming off, the roof will begin to look worn, but, most importantly, it won’t protect what’s below. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is only superficial.
Replace fascia. Occasionally, the part of your roof that rests between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will need to be replaced. The fascia can sometimes leak, allowing mold and mildew into your home, plus pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in the gaps on the roof where it is difficult to place roofing material. It’s the perfect location for leaks, and it is very easily damaged. If more complicated work is needed, replacing the flashing is an easy task for roofers and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is often the most expensive home maintenance costs. With the typical lifespan of a roof being between 20 and 30 years, you will probably only need to install a new one once or twice. Of course, if you move frequently, you might end up replacing a lot of 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 ask that the seller has the roof replaced prior to the sale. When selling a house, give Cedar Park Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Cedar Park to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.