Tips to Maintain Your Roof
The average shingle roof will last 20 years, depending on damage and usual wear and tear. Other types of 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 reduce or lengthen the time between roof replacements. If you are good about caring for your roof, you might end up only having to install a new roof once in your lifetime, just as long as you give it the attention it requires.
Roof replacement is expensive no matter the type of roof. You’re better off doing maintenance and small repairs as they arise to extend the lifetime of your roof.
If you aren’t confident in your roofing abilities – or just can’t stand the idea of climbing a ladder – you can hire a licensed, certified roofer in Frisco to help you with all your maintenance and roof repair projects.
PREVENTATIVE ROOF CARE
Doing tasks to prevent most roof damage before it occurs is the cheapest route to extend the lifetime of your roof. Here are some preventative care projects for your roof:
Cut limbs hanging over your roof. Gusting winds and rain storms can break limbs and even push over trees. Decaying, dying trees can also drop their branches onto your roof if they’re not pruned. Falling limbs destroy all types of roofs, including asphalt shingles and even metal roofs.
Install rain gutter guards. Gutter guards are metal or mesh covers that can be installed over your rain gutters to reduce clogging. They can limit the amount of gutter cleaning that you need to do and prevent rain flowing into your landscaping. You can install gutter guards yourself or leave the job to a roofer or gutter cleaning service in Frisco.
Schedule regular inspections. Shingles begin to lose asphalt granules after a few years, and metal roofs can get dented or begin to show signs of aging such as rust or tarnish. Having inspections done by a roofing pro can let you know if there’s a problem that needs to be taken care of.
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 options so you can feel safe about putting these coatings on your home, where they will inevitably run off and come in contact with your children, pets and landscaping.
Ensure your insulation and ventilation system are in good condition. Too much or too little insulation can create a condensation issue. Limited ventilation can result in trapped moisture. This can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as odors in your home. Besides being annoying, mold and mildew will wreak havoc on wood and other home materials, damaging your home’s structure.
ROUTINE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Every once in a while, you’ll want to complete some general maintenance on your roof. If this is done often enough, you’ll prevent leaks and extend the lifespan of your roof, regardless of the materials it’s made of.
Do these chores at least once a year to prevent damages and keep your roof looking nice:
Roof cleaning. Cleaning a roof removes debris, mold and dirt. This will limit the risk of pests and rodents building nests on your roof, and it will freshen up the curb appeal. DTC Frisco Pressure Washing offers roof cleaning in Frisco as one of our services.
Gutter cleaning. Cleaning out rain gutters is a necessary part of home ownership. Inspect your rain gutters regularly, especially while it’s raining, to observe if there are any clogs that have to be removed. Most companies recommend gutter cleaning once in the spring months and again in the fall season.
Remove moss. If moss begins to grow, it probably means that your roof is shaded and stays relatively moist. Moss’s roots will attach to roof shingles and other types of materials and ruin them if it isn’t eliminated quickly. Most homeowners decide to have a professional service 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 might feel confident enough doing small roof repairs yourself. But if not, professional roofers in Frisco are certified to tackle 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 to come off, the roof will start to look worn, but, more importantly, it won’t protect what’s underneath. Only a small section needs to be re-shingled if the damage is superficial.
Replace fascia. Sometimes, the part 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, and sometimes 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 easily damaged. If more extensive work is needed, replacing the flashing is also a simple project for professionals and proficient homeowners as well.
YOUR ROOF NEEDS LOVE TOO!
The roof is one of 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 replace it one or two times. Of course, if you move often, you might end up buying a lot of roofs during your lifetime.
When purchasing a new home, a roof inspection is definitely worth your time. You can also include the cost of a new roof – if one is needed – in the closing costs or ask that the home seller has the roof replaced prior to the sale. When trying to sell a home, give DTC Frisco Pressure Washing a call for professional roof cleaning in Frisco to improve curb appeal for potential buyers.