Want your roof to last as long as possible?
Chances are you haven’t thought much about your roof until it needed repairs. By then a small issue has turned into a costly nightmare.
Roof maintenance can help protect your home and your wallet. Let’s take a look at how the right maintenance plan can add decades to your roof.
Table of Contents
What you’ll learn:
- Why roofing maintenance is important
- What does roof maintenance include
- When to hire a professional
- Common roof issues
Why Roof Maintenance is Important
Your roof does a lot more than just look nice.
Your roof protects your home from everything that nature can throw at it. Rain, hail, wind, snow, sun – you name it.
Mother Nature chisels away at your roof year after year. And without proper maintenance that wear and tear will catch up with you eventually.
Roofs are designed to last between 20 and 50 years depending on the material. But did you know that poor ventilation can reduce your roof lifespan by over 10 years?
All it takes is a little prevention. When you need roofing contractor services, choose The Roof Doctor for expert advice.
But regular maintenance isn’t just about longevity. It’s about preventing water damage to your home.
When rain and melting snow aren’t properly drained away from your roof it causes all kinds of problems. Water can rot the wooden structures of your house and cause mould and mildew issues.
Remember these problems cost thousands of dollars to repair. Regular maintenance helps prevent that from happening.
What Does Roof Maintenance Include
Roof maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated.
In fact you don’t even need to know how to read blueprints to keep your roof in good health. You just have to be consistent. Here’s what to focus on:
Roof Inspection
Schedule two inspections every year. Spring and fall are ideal times to check for damage from winter storms and summer sunshine before it gets worse.
Look for:
- Missing, cracked, or curling shingles
- Damaged flashing around vents, skylights, and chimneys
- Moss or algae growth on roof surfaces
- Missing granules in your gutters (a sign your roof is ageing)
A recent Harris Poll survey revealed that 62% of homeowners didn’t inspect their roofs last year. Don’t be like the majority.
Clean Your Gutters
Your gutters play a vital role in protecting your roof.
When gutters are clogged rainwater can’t drain properly away from your roof. It backs up under your shingles and causes rot, leaks, and fascia board damage.
Clean your gutters at least twice a year. More if you’ve got trees hanging over your roof.
Trim Branches
Got trees on your property? Great!
Trees make your home look awesome. But if they hang over your roof they can create problems.
Heavy branches resting on your roof can gouge your shingles when storms hit. Falling branches can cause even more damage. And leaves resting on your roof trap moisture. Accelerating rot and decay.
Keep branches trimmed back at least six feet from your roof.
Check Your Attic Ventilation
Your attic plays a bigger role in your roof health than you might think.
Attics should be ventilated to help regulate temperature and humidity. A poorly ventilated attic means more heat and moisture builds up.
Extra heat dries out and ages your shingles faster. Extra moisture can lead to ice dams in winter months.
Keep an eye out for these signs your attic is poorly ventilated:
- Your attic is extremely hot during the summer months.
- You see ice dams forming along the edge of your roof in winter
- There’s mould or mildew in your attic
- Paint is peeling on your exterior walls
Perform Minor Repairs
It seems like a no-brainer but don’t ignore issues when you find them.
Small problems get big fast. A little crack in a shingle seems harmless but once water gets in it’s game over.
Water leads to rot and rot spreads. What started as a tiny problem becomes an expensive roof replacement.
When you spot an issue have it repaired immediately.
Hiring a Professional Roofing Contractor
Some tasks on this list are DIY friendly.
Others should be left to professional roofing contractor services. Know the difference to save yourself a headache.
Here’s when you should hire a professional:
- Your roof is over 10 years old and hasn’t been inspected in a while.
- Your roof is sagging or you notice other structural problems.
- You can see active leaks in your home
- Storm damage has occurred
- You don’t like heights!
A professional roofing contractor can spot things the average homeowner would never know to look for. They can fix things quickly and do it safely.
Listen professional roofers handle about 4 out of every 5 roofing projects. Professionals know what they’re doing and that stuff is dangerous if you’re not trained.
Common Roof Problems and How to Avoid Them
Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common ways roofs get damaged. Knowing what damages roofs can help you avoid the problems.
Broken or Missing Shingles
Heat, age, and wind all take their toll on roofing shingles. Curling, cracking, and loss of granules are signs your roof is getting up there in years.
Prevention: Biannual inspections and addressing minor issues quickly.
Flashing Issues
Flashing is installed around chimneys, vents, and skylights to prevent water from seeping in. When flashing fails that’s where water starts to enter your roof.
Prevention: Inspect flashing with each roof inspection. Reseal or replace when necessary.
Water Pooling
Especially common on flat roofs or roofs with a low slope. Pooling water is heavy and puts extra stress on your roof. Water will eventually find a way through this excess weight.
Prevention: Make sure drainage is working properly and debris doesn’t clog drainage areas.
Moss or Algae
These may look cool and not seem harmful but they’re not great for roofs. They hold moisture against your roof which speeds up decay.
Prevention: Trim back trees to allow more sunlight to hit your roof. You can also periodically clean your roof.
Poor Insulation
Insulation is your enemy if you live in areas of heavy snow. When your roof is poorly insulated snow melts then refreezes at your roof’s edge.
Likewise if your attic is too hot or too cold it can age your roof faster.
Prevention: Check your attic insulation and improve if it’s inadequate.
Wrapping Up
Think of your roof as the guardian of everything under it. You’d never let your guard down when someone’s protecting your family would you?
Don’t let your roof down either. These few maintenance tips can dramatically increase your roofs lifespan and save you thousands in avoidable repairs.
Remember:
- Inspect your roof bi-annually
- Keep your gutters clear of debris
- Trim tree branches back
- Make sure your attic is well ventilated
- Fix minor problems immediately
The majority of roof problems can be avoided. Take care of your roof and it’ll take care of you. Start with an inspection if it’s been a while.
