Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The average shingle roof will last around 20-25 years, depending on storm damage and usual wear and tear. Other roofing materials can last longer, but they are also more expensive to install.
The amount and quality of care you give your roof along the way can shorten or lengthen the time between roof replacements. If you are lucky, you could end up only having to replace your roof once in your lifetime, just as long as you give it the attention it needs.
Installing a new roof is expensive regardless of the type of roof. You’re a lot better off doing routine maintenance and small repairs as they arise to lengthen the lifetime of your roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing skills – or just don’t like the thought of climbing a tall ladder – you can always find a licensed, certified roofer in Miramar to give you a hand with all your maintenance and roof repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing projects to prevent most roof damage before it happens is by far the cheapest way to lengthen the lifetime of your roof. Here are a few preventative care measures for your roof:
Cut tree limbs hanging over your roof. High winds and rain storms can break tree limbs and even push over trees. Rotting, dying trees can also drop their heavy branches onto your roof if they’re 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 that can be installed over your rain gutters to prevent clogging. They can reduce the amount of gutter cleaning that you need to do and prevent rain flowing into your yard. You can install gutter guards on your own or leave the work to a roofer or gutter cleaning company in Miramar.
Have regular inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after only a few years, and metal roofs will be dented or begin to show signs of age like rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a company can let you know if there’s an issue that needs to be repaired.
Apply a roof coating. Roof coatings replenish the oils from roof 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 applying these products on your home, where they will inevitably run off and possibly come in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Make sure your insulation and ventilation systems are in excellent condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation problem. Limited ventilation can cause trapped moisture. This can quickly cause mold and mildew growth, as well as musty odors throughout your home. Besides being a nuisance, mold and mildew will wreak havoc on wood and other materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Here and there, you’ll need to do some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done regularly, you’ll prevent leaks and lengthen the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made of.
Do these things 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 reduce the risk of pests building nests on your roof, and it will immediately freshen up the appearance of your home. Miramar Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Miramar 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 observe if there are any clogs that need to be cleared. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it likely means that your roof is shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots can attach to roof shingles and other materials and ruin them if it isn’t gotten rid of quickly. Many homeowners prefer to have a professional do this so no unnecessary damage is done in the process.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS
Damages happen, but as long as you take care of them quickly, no serious problems should occur. If you are a capable handyman, you may feel confident doing small roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofing companies in Miramar are able to tackle these fast fixes for you to keep your roof in good shape.
Replace damaged or worn shingles. Shingles have asphalt pieces attached to them. The texture can be removed from 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 underneath. Only a section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is only superficial.
Replace fascia. Occasionally, the section of your roof that rests between the roof material and the top of the exterior wall (called the fascia) will also have to be replaced. The fascia can leak, letting mold and mildew into your home, plus pests.
Re-caulk around the flashings. Flashings fill in the gaps on the roof where it is impossible to place roofing material. It’s the most common location for leaks on a roof, and it is easily damaged. If more extensive work is required, replacing the flashing is also a simple project 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 around 20 and 30 years, you will likely only need to install a new one one or two times. Of course, if you move frequently, you could end up installing a lot of roofs in your lifetime.
When purchasing a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. 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 before the sale. When trying to sell a home, give Miramar Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Miramar to improve curb appeal for interested buyers.