Replacing a roof can be very expensive; unfortunately, when a roof needs to be replaced, there’s not much you can do about it. You won’t want to put it off since a roof that needs replacing is probably compromised in one way or another, which means that by ignoring it, you could be putting your household at risk.
However, you can certainly extend the life of your roof by keeping it in good condition. The following are six tips for maintaining your roof to ensure that it lasts as long as possible:
Warm air and moisture can easily get trapped in your attic during hot summer days if your attic isn’t properly ventilated. The continuous presence of moisture and heat can cause mold growth and can slowly cause damage to the roof as a result. Proper ventilation will allow air in the attic to cycle in and out, thereby helping prevent moisture buildup.
Insulation is just as important as ventilation. Without proper insulation, the heat that your HVAC system produces will escape through your ceiling and into your attic space. This can cause serious issues in the winter when snow covers the roof. This is because the bottom layer of snow will melt as a result of the heat coming up through the roof, but the top layer may remain frozen. This traps the water on the roof, where it will eventually begin leaking through and causing damage.
Gutters collect the rainwater from your roof and disperse it safely away from your home. If clogs occur, rainwater will build up and spill over, potentially leaking through your roof and causing water damage. Routinely clear out the debris from your gutters to help prevent clogs from forming.
You should be able to spot any shingles that are damaged or missing by simply walking around your home and looking up. A missing shingle here or there may not seem like a big deal, but it can be. When shingles are damaged, they’re more vulnerable to being blown off, while the area missing shingles will be prone to water leaks and damage. Not to mention that the shingles surrounding the space where the shingle is missing will be more prone to being blown off as well. The moment you spot any damaged or missing shingles, contact a local residential roofing contractor to come replace them.
If you notice any tree branches growing close to your roof, have them trimmed back. Tree branches can become dislodged during bad storms and can fall onto your roof where they can cause serious damage. In addition to trimming back branches on nearby trees, you may have to remove some trees completely if they are too close to your home. If a tree is knocked over and a large branch or trunk smashes into your roof, odds are you’re going to have to replace the entire thing.
Even if you make sure to insulate and ventilate your attic space, take care of your gutters, trim your branches, and there are no missing or damaged shingles, you should still schedule a roof inspection. During an inspection a residential roofing contractor will do a thorough evaluation of your roof and may spot issues you didn’t realize you had. These issues can be fixed before they become bigger problems, thereby extending the life of your roof.
These are six ways that you can extend your roof’s life. To schedule a roof inspection with a professional residential roofing contractor, contact us at All-Nu Construction today.