Prolong the Life of Your Roof With These Simple Tips
Shingles can last decades. Additionally, good roof maintenance practices can further help prolong the life of your shingles, which will save you both the money and time that would otherwise be required for roof replacement. Here are some ways you can prolong your roof’s life.
Set a Maintenance Schedule
A regular maintenance schedule means that minor roofing problems are caught early before major damages occur.
Annual Inspection
Take the time to inspect your roof from the ground about once a month, and schedule a more in-depth professional inspection if you suspect any issues. Look for damaged flashing, broken or damaged shingles, or missing vent and chimney caps.
Cleaning and Repairs
If you find an issue, have it fixed immediately before the damage can spread. A single bent shingle, for example, will take your roofer almost no time or effort to repair, but if it is left in place, water may get into the attic and result in the need for extensive repairs.
Prevent Landscaping Problems
Your landscaping can also impact your roof, especially if you have trees that overhang your house.
Gutter Cleaning
Leaves, twigs, and other debris that ends up on the roof will eventually wash into your gutters. Water will not drain well if the gutters are clogged, which can lead to ice dams in winter or an increased chance of water damage. Clean the gutters at least twice a year, and consider gutter covers if you have a lot of trees on your property.
Tree Trimming
Trees do not just drop leaves on your roof. When the wind blows, branches can scrape against shingles and cause them to break or lift. Large branches can also break and fall onto the roof, especially during a storm. Falling branches can even result in a roof puncture.
Trim back trees so that they do not overhang the roof, when possible. If you must leave some branches over the roof, at least have the trees inspected and maintained so possible problem branches can be removed before they fall and cause damages.
Manage Attic Conditions
The state of your attic can affect your roof and vice versa. When it comes to the attic’s impact, moisture and temperature are your main concerns.
Insulation Issues
An inadequately insulated attic can lead to issues with ice dams during the winter months. Water from an ice dam can back up five feet or more, encroaching under shingles and leaking into your home or causing water damage to roof decking materials.
A well-insulated attic cuts down on ice dams. If heat does not escape the attic, snow will not thaw prematurely and then refreeze into a dam. Instead, it will stay frozen until an actual thaw arrives and the water can flow unobstructed from the roof.
Vent Maintenance
An attic that is not venting properly can lead to moisture collection on the underside of your roof deck. Over time, water damage from the condensation buildup can lead to rotten decking, mildew, and mold. Sometimes, obstructions like a bird’s nest prevent proper venting. In other instances, your attic may be equipped with insufficient vents.
Your roofing contractor can verify that attic vents are properly placed and working correctly. Your contractor can even install additional vents if they are necessary.
Contact Aspen Roofing today for more help. We look forward to speaking with you about all your roof-related needs, including maintenance services and damage prevention. Please feel free to ask us any questions or concerns you may have about your roof. As your roofing experts, we are always happy to be of assistance. Please let us know what we can do for you today.