7 Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Roof
Here are some ways to extend the life of the roof on your home.
26/03/2021
Your roof is the most critical component of your house, it keeps you warm during the winter season and dry during storms, protecting your family from the elements. Unfortunately, the condition of your roof is often overlooked and most homeowners only pay attention to it when they notice problems, like leaks.
By paying close attention to your roof, you can not only more easily resolve minor problems and avoid major damage, but ensure your family is protected year-round.
Here are some ways to extend the life of the roof on your home:
1. Keep Your Roof Clean
Keeping your roof clean is one of the best ways to care for your roof. In many cases, you don't need to physically climb onto your roof to keep it clean, since much of the debris and dirt will collect in your gutters, which can be easily accessed using a ladder.
2.Perform Regular Inspections
Many roofing problems may not be visible to the naked eye or from the ground, for this reason, a yearly roof inspection with the help of roofing experts such as Top Glaze may come in handy. Roofing professionals have the ability to complete any repairs and inspect your roof thoroughly, preventing you from having to cough up for more expensive repairs later on.
You can also perform inspections yourself; take several minutes to walk around your home’s perimeter and perform a visual inspection of your roof from the ground level, especially after strong storms. Pay attention to missing shingles, find damaged gutters, take note of any excess shingle granules, and any loose gutter brackets which may need repair.
3. Maintain Your Gutters
Cleaning the rain gutters around your house can provide more benefits than you might think. Regular gutter cleaning doesn’t only keep the pests and leaves from making your roof look unkempt and shabby, but can, when done regularly, save your property from major water damage. As debris and leaves pile up, they can create dams in your gutter that cause many pools of standing water, which can then leak into your home and cause many issues. Make sure to maintain your gutters to improve the condition of your roof, and plan any new roof or trussing designs thoughtfully, allowing easy access and drainage.
4. Get Rid Of Mold And Moss
Your roof’s shady areas could be prone to growing mold and moss, which can be dangerous if left untreated. Mold and moss can feed on whatever surfaces they infest, which can cause the building material to break down slowly. Moreover, mold and moss tend to hold moisture, which can accelerate decay.
5. Avoid Ice Dams
Another way to extend your roof’s lifespan is to ensure that the inside of your ceiling is well maintained and safe; when too much heat escapes through your roof, it can cause pools of water, which then creates an excess amount of snow banked on the top of your roof, this is called an ice dam. Ensure you have proper attic insulation to prevent ice damming.
If you have ice dams forming, remove any snow off from your roof and use a rake to eliminate any ice or snow built up.
6. Trim The Nearby Branches
Trees provide shade, but they can also cause
damage to your roof, especially if they hang
over your gutters. If leaves don’t fall off your
roof naturally, the moisture can be trapped
under them, and leaves may also get caught in
your roof gutters.
Bigger branches may fall
and damage your roof during storms, and constant
friction from branches scraping your roof can
damage the tiles. Although this damage may be
unnoticed and small at first, it can become more
apparent over time; consider trimming these
branches and your roof will likely last longer.
7. Proper Insulation And Ventilation
No matter what type of roofing you have, insulation and ventilation are crucial to its overall condition. Proper ventilation enables cold air to enter your ceiling space, and humid, warm air to escape; this can help avoid water vapor accumulation which can damage the underside of your roof, resulting in mold, rot, or structural problems.
Conclusion
Roofs, like any other structure, can last
longer if you know how to provide proper care
and maintenance.
While you don’t have to be
obsessed with your roof’s condition, it pays to
keep an eye on it; make sure to take note of
these tips and information to extend your roof’s
lifespan, and never hesitate to contact roofing
experts if you need help with your roofing
concerns.